 "Zelenskyy to recall Ukraine's 'most successful' envoy to US amid backlash from Republicans")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to recall the country’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, and replace her with someone else, after she faced widespread criticism from Republican leaders.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, however, has said that Markarova will be replaced because “every diplomat has a rotation cycle” and confirmed that she will be recalled after four years of service. He described the ambassador as “extremely effective, charismatic and one of our most successful ambassadors.”
Sybiha added that Markarova is not the only one being recalled, as the Ukrainian government has planned to move several top ambassadors to G7 and G20 countries.
Why is Markarova not Republicans’ favourite?
Markarova is not liked in the White House circles and has faced flak for her actions from Republican leaders. The US House of Representatives Speaker, Mike Johnson, has accused her of supporting the Democratic Party and Kamala Harris in the run-up to the presidential elections in November 2024.
In February, she was photographed with her head in her hand during what turned out to be a disastrous Oval Office meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump.
Criticism intensified last September after Zelenskyy toured a shell factory in Pennsylvania, a visit arranged by Ambassador Markarova. According to Johnson, not a single Republican lawmaker was invited, prompting calls for her removal.
Zelenskyy told US President Donald Trump about Markarova’s dismissal during a phone call last week, which Ukraine’s president hailed as their most constructive to date.
On the war front
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, wounded at least 11 people, authorities said early Thursday, warning of incoming missiles.
“The attack on the capital continues. Enemy UAVs (drones) are still approaching the city,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFive people were wounded in Kyiv, four of whom were hospitalised, Klitschko said, citing medics.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, however, said the number of wounded had risen to 11 people.
The military administration warned of a “threat of enemy use of ballistic weapons”, and Ukraine’s air force later said: “a group of missiles is approaching Kyiv from the east”.
With inputs from agencies
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