Zelenskyy wants a new envoy in Washington. Few want the job
Ukraine is struggling to find a candidate willing to take over its embassy in Washington, with potential candidates leery of dealing with Donald Trump’s administration during a vital stage of the war.
According to Politico, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has yet to locate the heavyweight envoy he seeks in Washington after numerous potential candidates turned down his offer.
Zelenskyy is reportedly looking for someone with the political clout to deal directly with the Trump administration and speak authoritatively on his behalf. According to those acquainted with the hunt, the challenge is finding a candidate who combines that kind of power with a desire to take on one of Kyiv’s most difficult diplomatic jobs.
Former PM Yuliia Svyrydenko was one of those approached. Zelenskyy openly admitted in July that he offered her the Washington posting, but she declined. Other potential candidates have also shown reluctance, with Politico attributing some of the hesitancy to the difficulty of operating within an administration whose Ukraine policy can move suddenly.
Read more: Zelenskyy picks Uzbekistan-born top Russia negotiator as next intelligence chief
A tough job
The problem is not a scarcity of people who want the title. According to one former Ukrainian official, there are interested individuals, but none have yet reached the level that Kyiv believes is required for the position.
This makes the situation more critical for Ukraine. Washington continues to play a significant role in decisions about military supplies, air defence, logistics, and intelligence, and there are signals that another round of peace talks may be in the works. As a result, Kyiv seeks an ambassador who can easily transition between the White House and Congress and respond promptly to changes in US policy.
Read more: Ukraine peace talks: Trump pushes for agreement, Zelenskyy hesitant
The position became available after Zelenskyy fired Olha Stefanishyna on 3 August. She had been Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States since August 2025 and later stated that her departure was her own decision for personal reasons.
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