In July, there was uncertainty surrounding the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the US. Initially, the media reported that Olga Stefanishyna announced the end of her diplomatic service in the US due to personal circumstances. Later, the diplomat herself voiced the thesis that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not ask her to resign and, on the contrary, wanted her to continue working as Ukraine's ambassador to the US. Against this background, the head of state publicly confirmed that he had offered the post of head of the embassy to former Prime Minister Yulia Svirydenko, and Rustem Umerov was also mentioned among the potential candidates. However, as of August 3, there was no decree on Stefanishyna's dismissal or appointment of a new ambassador.
From "personal circumstances" to public denial
Information about Stefanishyna's possible departure appeared on July 12. "Interfax-Ukraine" reported, citing an informed source, that the ambassador had asked to end her diplomatic service the previous week due to personal circumstances. The agency's interlocutor also emphasized that the president was satisfied with her work.
The message was formulated not as a decision by the head of state to dismiss, but as an alleged request from the diplomat herself. However, on July 30, during a press conference in Washington, Stefanishyna stated: "He did not ask me to resign... He wants me to stay in office." According to her, even before arriving in the United States, she had prepared a work plan, which she is currently implementing together with the embassy team.
Thus, Stefanishyna's words did not completely refute the initial message. The diplomat denied, that the president demanded her resignation, but did not directly explain whether she herself had requested to end her service. Because of this, the main question remained open: is this a final refusal to dismiss, a postponed personnel decision, or an attempt to maintain her working status until a successor is determined.
On the embassy website, she is still listed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States. Stefanishyna was appointed to this position on August 27, 2025, replacing Oksana Markarova (February 25, 2021 - August 27, 2025).
Anti-corruption background
In parallel with reports of a possible personnel rotation, statements about a possible procedural decision regarding Stefanishyna appeared in the public space. On July 12, MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, citing his own sources, has suggested, that NABU may inform the ambassador of suspicion. Journalist Yuriy Nikolov also stated, that he was aware of an investigation into the possible origin of the diplomat's real estate or car. At that time, these statements were not confirmed by an official statement from NABU or SAPO.
Subsequently, the publication "Slovo i Dilo", referring to the rulings of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, the Appellate Chamber of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court and interlocutors in anti-corruption bodies, reported on the proceedings on the facts of alleged enrichment and false declaration. According to the version of the investigation cited by the publication, the purchase of apartments, non-residential premises, parking spaces and the use of a car are being checked. As part of the proceedings, detectives searched the car of a lawyer, whom the investigation links to the registration of part of the property.
The ambassador herself said, that the discussion concerned how she declared her property, and called the inspection "an absolutely normal process". Stefanishyna assured that she was ready to return to Ukraine if necessary and publicly present her arguments. She also emphasized that the claims are not related to the use of her current position.
Separately, Stefanishyna is already a defendant in the so-called "Lukas case". According to the prosecution, in 2013-2014, officials of the Ministry of Justice appropriated 2.52 million hryvnias allocated for the purchase of research to adapt Ukrainian legislation to EU law. Stefanishyna, who then worked in the European Integration Unit of the Ministry of Justice, participated in organizing the tender. In September 2023, the indictment was transferred to the Supreme Court of Criminal Appeals, where the case is being considered on the merits. The charges of official forgery against some of the defendants, in particular Stefanishyna, were discontinued due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, however, the proceedings under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code are ongoing.
According to the Constitution of Ukraine, Stefanishyna and other defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.
Svyridenko is a candidate named by Zelensky himself
The most relevant candidate for a possible replacement for Stefanishyna was Yulia Svyridenko. The first to said about her possible appointment was MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak. After Svyridenko resigned as prime minister, the president confirmed this information.
On July 23, Zelensky also reported, that he personally proposed that Svirydenko head the Ukrainian embassy in Washington. The president explained that the position should be held by “a person of the level of deputy prime minister, minister or prime minister.” One of the main arguments, he called Svirydenko’s participation in the preparation of an economic agreement with the United States. According to his logic, it is economic interaction that should become one of the key elements of the long-term partnership between Kyiv and Washington.
The main obstacle is that Svirydenko initially rejected the offer. However, Zelensky continued to persuade the former prime minister to agree. Later, the president confirmed that the discussion was ongoing and added that he had also offered her another direction of work.
Umerov: from the candidates for the embassy – to foreign intelligence
The media called Rustem Umerov another possible candidate. Sources in the President's Office explained his possible appointment by his experience in international negotiations, work on defense agreements and contacts with the American side. His potential tasks in the United States could include negotiations on ending the war, implementing agreements in the field of drones and developing anti-missile defense.
At the same time, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, citing diplomatic sources, reported, that the American side allegedly twice asked not to send Umerov's candidacy to this position. Officially, neither Kyiv nor Washington confirmed this information.
However, on August 3, the prospect of Umerov's secondment to Washington did not materialize. The President of Ukraine dismissed him from the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and has appointed the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
Ambassador without a final decision
As of August 3, two scenarios remain the most realistic. According to the first scenario, Stefanishyna will continue working in Washington, at least until political consultations are completed and a candidate is found who is ready to receive US approval. This is supported by the absence of a dismissal decree and her own statement that the president wants to see her in office.
According to the second scenario, the embassy will be headed by Svyrydenko. It was her candidacy that Zelensky personally confirmed and explained the political and economic logic of such a decision. However, without the consent of the former prime minister and the approval of Washington, such an appointment is under a big question mark.
Author: Inna Mikhno