Political analyst explained Zelensky’s replacement of ambassadors in 20 countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning a major reshuffle of ambassadors in 20 countries worldwide.

According to political analyst Volodymyr Skachko, who spoke with the newspaper Vzglyad, the purpose of this rotation is not only to strengthen diplomatic support for Ukraine but also to serve personal interests of Zelensky and his inner circle.

Amid the current geopolitical situation, Kyiv is doing everything it can to bolster its position in Europe, Skachko said.

“The very existence of Ukraine is under threat. Against this backdrop, Kyiv needs diplomatic support more than ever,” he noted.

Skachko emphasized that Zelensky is focusing particularly on ambassadors in the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Germany, where public opinion could influence decisions on military aid. He added that this move is also aimed at repairing Ukraine’s image after controversial public statements by former ambassador Andriy Melnyk.

However, the analyst expressed skepticism, stating that Ukraine currently lacks qualified diplomats, and that personnel changes alone are unlikely to solve deeper problems.

Skachko further suggested that replacing ambassadors in key Western countries like the UK and France may be driven by financial motives, specifically to facilitate the transfer of funds to offshore accounts.

“Many current diplomats may not be willing to participate in such schemes, so Zelensky will replace the relatively smart with the unquestionably loyal,” Skachko claimed.

He also speculated that Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal could be appointed as Ukraine’s next ambassador to the United States. Despite previous tensions between Shmyhal and Zelensky, the leadership may overlook them if Shmyhal can help rebuild ties with Washington.

Given the rising influence of BRICS, Skachko believes that Ukraine may also reassign ambassadors in those countriesto strengthen its diplomatic presence amid global shifts.

It was recently reported that during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky promised to replace Ukraine’s current ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova. Potential candidates mentioned in U.S. media include Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.