President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he has appointed Olha Stefanishyna as the Special Representative for the Development of Cooperation with the United States. She will hold this position while the process of approving her candidacy as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States is underway.
“All the necessary procedures for approving her candidacy with Washington as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States are underway,” the announcement said.
Stefanishyna is expected to replace Oksana Markarova, who has been heavily criticized by leading US Republicans for allegedly favoring the Democratic Party.
Since September 2024, Stefanishyna has served as Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice.
The President thanked acknowledged her work in advancing Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations.
Stefanishyna was also involved in finalizing the natural resources deal with the United States. Zelensky noted that she would “continue to work with the United States on this basis, adding mutually beneficial economic substance to our political and diplomatic interaction.”
During a phone call with US President Donald Trump on July 4, Zelensky discussed Markarova’s replacement as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States. According to Bloomberg, Zelensky named several possible candidates, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko as well as Stefanishyna.
The change is expected to be followed by several more Cabinet moves are expected in the coming days.
Earlier this week, Zelensky called for a renewed government that would be “more dynamic, more focused on victory, and more responsive to public demand.”
Earlier on Thursday Ukraine’s parliament officially appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s new Prime Minister, securing 262 votes in favor during that day’s session of the Verkhovna Rada.