Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly preparing to replace Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s current ambassador to the United States. According to the Financial Times, citing two people familiar with the matter, the issue was discussed in a recent phone call between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders are said to have reached a preliminary agreement on the ambassador’s dismissal, and their respective teams are now holding further consultations on potential successors acceptable to both sides.
The U.S. news outlet Bloomberg also confirmed the information, citing its own source familiar with the situation. According to the report, the conversation between the two presidents took place last Friday, with the ambassador’s future being the main subject of discussion.
Markarova has served as Ukraine’s ambassador in Washington since 2021. Some members of the Republican Party have criticized her for being too closely aligned with the Democratic establishment, making her a problematic figure for a possible Trump administration.
According to Der Spiegel, Markarova’s dismissal could be seen as a goodwill gesture from Zelensky — an attempt to demonstrate his willingness to cooperate with Donald Trump at a critical moment for Ukraine. Last week, the United States delayed already approved arms shipments to Ukraine, which continues to face relentless missile and drone attacks from Russia.
Major Cabinet Reshuffle Expected
As reported by the Financial Times, Zelensky is expected to officially announce Markarova’s departure next week, as part of a broader reshuffling of his Cabinet. Citing sources in Kyiv, the newspaper notes that this is not the first such overhaul since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Zelensky has already replaced numerous key government figures during the war.
A high-ranking Ukrainian official told the paper that the president intends to appoint a “strong negotiator” as ambassador — someone who would be “understood both by the White House and by Congress.” According to the report, potential candidates include Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Former EU diplomat in Kyiv Balazs Jarabik told the Financial Times that the personnel shakeup is a typical response to mounting political, economic, and social pressure. “The reshuffle does not suggest a shift in strategic direction, but rather seems aimed at containing discontent, creating a sense of renewal, and maintaining control under pressure from multiple fronts,” he explained.
Context: U.S. Elections and Support for Ukraine
The decision to replace Markarova should be seen not only as a domestic move, but as a strategic signal to a possible new U.S. administration. Donald Trump, currently the frontrunner in the presidential race, has repeatedly criticized American support for Ukraine, and if he returns to the White House, Kyiv will face an even more challenging diplomatic landscape.
By replacing a diplomat accused of Democratic leanings with someone potentially more acceptable to Republicans, Zelensky appears to be trying to preemptively build bridges with the Trump camp — especially as the war enters a more precarious phase both militarily and politically. This is a delicate political maneuver aimed at securing continued Western support, which remains crucial for Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression.
Analysts say Kyiv is keenly aware that its survival in the current geopolitical climate depends on its ability to navigate upcoming shifts in U.S. foreign policy. A new ambassador in Washington may play a pivotal role in maintaining vital communication channels and ensuring bipartisan support, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office in 2025.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
All rights to the original text belong to Der Spiegel.
