Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to replace Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, in what appears to be a strategic move aimed at improving relations with former U.S. President Donald Trump and the Republican leadership.
According to reports by the Financial Times on Tuesday, Zelensky made the decision during a recent phone conversation with Trump, as both sides discuss potential successors to the post. Any new appointment would require the approval of both Kyiv and Washington.
Markarova, who has served as Ukraine’s envoy in Washington since 2021, has come under criticism from some U.S. Republicans for being perceived as too closely aligned with the Democratic Party.
Her replacement is expected to be part of a wider cabinet reshuffle planned for next week, with the aim of recalibrating Ukraine’s diplomatic strategy amid shifting political dynamics in the United States.
The potential reshuffle comes at a time when U.S. military support for Ukraine has faced delays. Washington has recently withheld previously approved arms shipments, even as Ukraine faces intensified Russian missile and drone attacks, now more than three years into the full-scale war.
Sources familiar with the discussions told the Financial Times that Zelensky is looking for a candidate who can build strong ties with both the White House and the U.S. Congress. Names being considered include Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
A senior Ukrainian official emphasized that the next ambassador must be a skilled negotiator and someone capable of engaging effectively with both American political parties.
The change, analysts say, reflects Kyiv’s attempt to manage mounting political, economic, and social pressures through leadership renewal and tighter control.
Since the onset of the war, Zelensky has made several major cabinet changes, often aimed at consolidating internal governance and strengthening Ukraine’s international alliances.
(dpa/NAN)
