To avoid upsetting Trump... Zelensky replaces 'pro-Biden' ambassador to the U.S.

Successor: Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the ambassador to the United States, reportedly in response to complaints from U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, President Zelenskyy said in a virtual address on the 27th (local time) that he had appointed Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration (39), as the new ambassador. Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna succeeds Ambassador Oksana Markarova (49), who was appointed in February 2021 and has been engaged in frontline diplomacy with the United States throughout the war in Ukraine.

The change of the ambassador to the United States this week was the result of accepting demands that had been repeatedly raised by a second Trump administration for the removal of Ambassador Markarova. Trump administration officials had expressed dissatisfaction that Ambassador Markarova was friendly to the opposition Democratic Party.

Ambassador Markarova took the lead in securing large-scale U.S. support for Ukraine through the Democratic administration of former President Joe Biden. In particular, the Trump camp accused Ambassador Markarova of politically aiding the Democrats by arranging President Zelenskyy's visit to a U.S. ammunition plant ahead of last year's presidential election.

According to Bloomberg, under continued pressure, President Zelenskyy promised on the 4th, during a phone call with President Trump, to dismiss Ambassador Markarova.

Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration in June 2020 and played a key role in Ukraine's adoption and internalization of Western-style institutions. She has also served as justice minister since September 2024 and has acted as President Zelenskyy's special envoy to the United States since July this year.

Unlike the Biden administration, Ukraine must reorganize its diplomatic lineup to align with a Trump administration that is sparing with military and political support for Ukraine. On the 18th, President Zelenskyy visited Washington, D.C., with European leaders and reached an agreement with President Trump on the framework for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Reportedly, the agreement includes large-scale imports of U.S. weapons by Ukraine, the transfer of practical drone technology from Ukraine to the United States, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine's security guarantees after the end of the war.

In his speech, President Zelenskyy cited the supply of U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine and the transfer of drones to the United States as core elements of the agreement. He said, "Fully implementing the agreements reached with the United States in the defense sector is more important than anything," and added, "A substantial part of Ukraine's long-term security is determined by its relationship with the United States."

Hankyung.com reporter Ahn Hye-won anhw@hankyung.com