Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a decree on Wednesday (August 27) appointing former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States.
In a video speech released on Wednesday evening, Zelensky said that he had signed the decree appointing the 39-year-old Stefanishyna after completing all necessary procedures.
“I have identified the key mission of renewing the work of the Ukrainian Embassy,” the President said.
Zelensky stated that the new ambassador should actively promote Ukraine-US defense agreements, including cooperation in areas such as unmanned drone procurement.
“It is primarily about the comprehensive implementation of all agreements reached in Washington – agreements reached between Ukraine and President Trump, especially in the field of defense,” he said. “Ukraine’s long-term security largely depends on its relationship with the United States.”
Stefanishyna previously served as the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European and Euro-Atlantic integration affairs in Zelensky’s government, playing a significant role in Ukraine’s integration into Western institutions. She also served as Minister of Justice.
This latest appointment comes at a crucial moment in US-Ukraine relations, as President Trump is pushing to end the three-and-a-half-year-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Stefanishyna will succeed Oksana Markarova as the ambassador to the US. Markarova has served as ambassador for six years. Zelensky thanked Markarova for her work and stated that he would invite her to continue to be part of his team.
In a post made on August 27, Markarova announced that she was concluding her ten-year term of public service. Prior to serving as ambassador to the US, she worked in the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.