Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree appointing her to the position.
The Office of the President of Ukraine announced this appointment, citing Presidential Decree No. 494/2025 of July 17, 2025.
"I have signed a decree appointing Olga Stefanishyna as Special Representative of the President of Ukraine for the Development of Cooperation with the United States of America. In this capacity, she will maintain momentum in relations with America while the procedures for Washington's approval of her candidacy for Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States are ongoing," said Zelenskyy.
He also noted that, in her previous role as Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, she participated in strategic negotiations with the U.S. on a new economic format for cooperation. This includes creating a Ukrainian-American investment fund for reconstruction to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in Ukraine's post-war recovery.
"We will continue to work with America on this basis, adding mutually beneficial economic content to our political and diplomatic cooperation," said Zelenskyy.
Background
Olga Stefanishyna was born in 1985. She graduated from the Faculty of International Law at the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2008. She received a qualification as an international lawyer and English translator. In 2016, she received a specialist degree in Finance and Credit from Odessa National Economic University.
Since September 2024, Stefanyshyna has served as Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice.
From March to December 2017, she worked as Director of the Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers. From December 2017 to September 2019, she served as director general of the government office for coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the government secretariat. In June 2020, she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.
On the eve of the decree, it is worth noting that the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) opened criminal proceedings based on Ukrayinska Pravda's investigation into possible abuses in ARMA, involving Olga Stefanishyna's family. The criminal proceedings concern the possible abuse of office with serious consequences (Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Currently, no one has been notified of any suspicions. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Photo: slovoidilo.ua
Author: Inna Mikhno