Zelenskyy explains why he wants to send Umerov as ambassador to the US: video
10 July 2025 23:38
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not ruled out the possibility that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov could become Ukraine’s new ambassador to the United States. At the same time, the President emphasized that such a decision would entail large-scale changes in the Cabinet of Ministers. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this at a press conference in Rome, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
During a conversation with journalists, Zelenskyy confirmed his intention to replace the current Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and thanked Oksana Markarova for her work in Washington. According to the president, he has already discussed with her further options for civil service in Ukraine.
“The Ambassador of the United States will be replaced. I am grateful to Oksana Markarova. We talked to her, we had contacts, and I cannot say what she will continue to do. Much depends on her. I am open, I would like her to continue working in Ukraine. But if she decides otherwise, it is her choice,” Zelensky said.
The President noted that if Umerov takes Markarova’s place, it will entail major changes in the Cabinet.
“As for the new ambassador and the Cabinet of Ministers: if I decide – and this will happen in the near future – that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will be our key ambassador to the United States, this will definitely affect a serious reshuffle in the government of Ukraine. It is clear why – because today all decisions, our entire budget is, unfortunately, about the war. But it is true. And therefore, a lot depends on the Ministry of Defense in this regard,” Zelensky said.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Defense is now a central player in the functioning of the budget and providing the country with everything it needs in times of war. That is why, according to the President, it is important for Ukraine to have a strong representative in the United States focused on key issues, especially weapons.
The Head of State emphasized that “it is very important for us today … to strengthen relations with the United States of America, not to lose this moment”.
“It is necessary for a person to be strong and to be in the context of the most important thing. And this is in the context of strengthening Ukraine with weapons, first of all,” Zelensky added.
Read also: Tochytskyi, Kyslytsia, Umerov: who is being prepared to replace Markarova
It should be noted that the decision to replace the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States was already partially discussed on July 4 during a telephone conversation between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. According to Western media, it was during this conversation that the Ukrainian side outlined its vision of a new configuration of cooperation and representation in Washington. After that, consultations with American diplomats on potential candidates began.
We remind you that Oksana Markarova has been Ambassador since February 2021. During this time, she has played an important role in mobilizing US political, financial, and military support for Ukraine in the context of a full-scale war. As the US elections and changes in global geopolitics approach, Kyiv is looking for a new model of representation that can meet current challenges and work effectively with both the administration and Congress.
It is expected that the official decision to change the ambassador will be announced in due course. The president’s team emphasizes that the “reshuffle” is not a gesture of distrust in Markarova personally, but part of a planned diplomatic rotation aimed at updating approaches and strengthening the political weight of Ukrainian diplomats in key capitals.
Read also: Sibiga announces change of ambassadors to G7 and G20 countries, including the US
How Oksana Markarova is remembered in diplomatic circles
The former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States has twice been involved in high-profile scandals.
In September 2024, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to recall Markarova. The reason was Zelenskyy’s visit to an ammunition plant in Pennsylvania, organized by the diplomat.
Johnson said that Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova allegedly organized a “partisan campaign” because no Republicans were invited to the event. He is convinced that this was done intentionally, and the tour itself, according to the speaker, was allegedly a “campaign event designed to help Democrats.“
This short-sighted and deliberately political move has caused Republicans to lose confidence in Ambassador Markarova’s ability to perform her diplomatic functions in this country honestly and effectively. She should be removed from her post immediately. In addition, as I have made clear in the past, all foreign nations should avoid expressing their opinions or interfering in U.S. domestic politics,” Johnson wrote in a letter to Zelensky.
At the end of February 2025, during a press briefing in the Oval Office of the White House, Oksana Markarova was noticed in a rather awkward position: amid a heated discussion between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the ambassador put her hand to her face and lowered her head. Images of this moment were circulated by the media, emphasizing the tension between the leaders and diplomatic representatives.
For a broader context, it is worth noting that, despite the criticism, Markarova actively participated in major American media outlets. For example, in a high-profile interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation on May 4, 2025, she emphasized the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine. She also commented on the intense drone attacks on civilian targets, emphasizing the devastating impact on the population.
Thus, replacing the ambassador to the United States is only the tip of the iceberg. The key task is to develop an effective foreign strategy that will be able to meet the challenges of the new geopolitical reality. The candidacy of the new ambassador is certainly important, but the most important thing is the state’s ability to systematically and persistently promote its interests at the highest level.
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