**Ukrainian President Shakes Up Diplomatic Corps**
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has started a big change in his team of diplomats. He wants to make sure Ukraine has reliable friends and peace next year.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy announced that several ambassadors and diplomats would be replaced or promoted. One of them is Serhiy Kyslytsya, who was the main person speaking for Ukraine at the United Nations. He will now help run the country’s foreign affairs department.
Kyslytsya was known for being loud and direct when talking to Russia’s representatives at the UN. His replacement is Andriy Melnyk, who used to be Ukraine’s ambassador in Germany.
Another ambassador, Pavlo Ryabikin, lost his job after only a few months as Ukraine’s representative in China. Relations with China were already difficult because of its friendship with Russia.
Zelenskyy wants to improve Ukraine’s relationships with other countries. He has chosen new ambassadors who are experts in their fields and have good connections. One of them is Alyona Getmanchuk, a well-known expert on international relations. She will be in charge of talks between Ukraine and NATO.
The President also appointed Nariman Dzhelyal as ambassador to Türkiye (Turkey). This is an important job because of the complex history between Ukraine and Russia. Vyacheslav Yatsyuk has been chosen to open Ukraine’s first embassy in Rwanda, which is a sign that Ukraine wants to build stronger ties with countries in Africa.
Zelenskyy plans to change around 30 ambassadors in the next few weeks. This is about one-third of all senior diplomats. One of the most important changes might be who will replace Oksana Markarova as ambassador to the United States. Markarova has been under scrutiny because some people think she helped Zelenskyy visit a weapons factory in President Joe Biden’s hometown for political reasons.
Zelenskyy says that next year will be even more challenging, and diplomats need to work harder to bring peace and stability to Ukraine.