Zelensky cannot find a Ukrainian ambassador to the US: candidates are turning down the post

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is unable to appoint a new ambassador in Washington — potential candidates are declining one after another from a position they describe as “the hardest job in Washington.”

This is reported by Politico, citing sources.

According to the outlet, the position was first offered to former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who declined, derailing Zelensky’s initial plans. After that, other potential candidates “showed the same reluctance, rejecting what is in any case a difficult job dealing with Donald Trump’s unpredictable White House.”

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a member of parliament from European Solidarity, explained the logic behind the refusals: people with sufficient authority and skills for the role approach it with distrust, “fearing they will not have the conditions necessary to do the job properly.” A former Ukrainian diplomat added that those who do want the post are being screened out by Zelensky himself.

Andriy Yurchyshyn, a member of parliament from Holos, suggested that Zelensky may be deliberately stalling and waiting for the results of the US midterm elections in order to assess who “would best fit the political landscape.”

Politico characterizes the prolonged vacancy itself as a serious risk: “Ukraine could find itself without an influential representative in Washington at the very moment when decisions are being made on weapons, air defense, logistics and intelligence sharing, as well as on the terms of any new peace initiatives.”

The previous ambassador, Olha Stefanishyna, received a suspicion notice from NABU the day after her dismissal — and not for the first time. Rustem Umerov was planned to be appointed in her place; however, according to several members of parliament, Washington refused to approve his candidacy.