Kyiv is preparing to change the leadership of the embassy in Washington and has decided on a candidate for a new diplomat. Against the backdrop of a shortage of Patriot interceptors, Ukraine is negotiating with allies on additional supplies and accelerating the transfer of new air defense systems. At the same time, Russia is threatening to expand strikes on Ukrainian economic infrastructure, and American diplomacy is demonstrating its readiness to use informal contacts with the Lukashenko regime.
Zelenskyy has decided on a candidate for the position of Ukraine's new ambassador to the US
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, that the candidate for Ukraine's new ambassador to the US has already been determined, but he has not yet named the candidate. According to him, Washington needs an experienced diplomat who is able to actively represent Ukraine's interests and maintain constant contact with American politicians. Separately, the president emphasized the need to work with American media and analytical centers. According to Zelensky, the future ambassador should not only perform diplomatic functions, but also be an active communicator who will help maintain attention to Ukraine in the United States.
“There is a candidacy. The Embassy in the United States of America needs an experienced person. This is very important,” Zelensky said.
He also explained that the representative of Ukraine in the United States should regularly meet with senators, work with think tanks and speak in the American media.
“We need a communicator so that Ukraine is not forgotten. We need to be on television, meet with senators, think tanks. Influence, talk. A person must be deeply knowledgeable in many issues,” he added.
The previous ambassador of Ukraine to the United States was Olga Stefanishyna, whom Zelensky dismissed by decree on August 3, 2026 after a year of work in this position. On August 4, the NABU and SAPO informed Stefanishyna of suspicion of illicit enrichment and false declarations.
Zelensky and Kellogg discussed increased Russian strikes and Patriot missile shortage
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv with former US President's special representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg. The meeting took place within the framework of the Veterans Forum, after Kellogg visited Odessa and got acquainted with the consequences of Russian attacks on port infrastructure. The parties discussed increased Russian strikes on civilian objects and infrastructure of Ukraine. Particular attention was paid to air defense, in particular protection against ballistic missiles.
"The main priority in defense is, of course, anti-ballistics. I informed the general about our work with the Europeans to create an anti-ballistic system, but to get through this winter, the supply of interceptors to Patriot is indispensable," Zelensky said. The president noted that Ukraine is ready to purchase interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, since current stocks are not enough to provide the necessary level of protection. According to him, any efforts of partners in this direction are important. In parallel, Ukraine is working with European countries to create its own anti-ballistic system, but until it appears, Kyiv is counting on the supply of American interceptors.
France will accelerate the supply of air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine amid the Patriot shortage
French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to accelerate the supply of new French weapons and missiles to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky said this after a nearly two-hour telephone conversation with the French president, during which they discussed Ukraine's critical need for air defense. Macron also expressed his readiness to turn to allies who have stocks of American interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. Patriot remains the only system at Ukraine's disposal capable of shooting down high-speed ballistic missiles used by Russia.
“We have agreed to accelerate the supply of the latest French equipment and missiles,” Zelensky said, without specifying the exact quantities.
He also noted that France has confirmed its readiness to provide licenses for the production of missiles in Ukraine. Kyiv is waiting for the new Italian-French SAMP/T-NG missile defense system, which, according to experts, should be able to counter ballistic missiles, although it has not yet been combat-tested. Macron separately declared his support for Ukraine and reacted to the Russian strike on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, which killed at least 16 people and injured 130 more. A meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” is scheduled for Monday, where they will also discuss further strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense and diplomatic steps towards the war.
John Cole established an informal dialogue with Lukashenko and achieved the release of hundreds of Belarusian political prisoners
The US President's Special Representative for Belarus, John Cole, used personal communication and an informal style of negotiations to establish contact with Alexander Lukashenko. According to The New York Times, the American diplomat communicated with the Belarusian leader in an informal atmosphere, joked, talked about losing weight and participated in vodka feasts. Cole himself considers this approach effective and consistent with Donald Trump's diplomatic style. According to him, it was thanks to the negotiations between Washington and Minsk that it was possible to achieve the release of more than 500 Belarusian political prisoners.
In March 2026, after negotiations with Cole, Lukashenko released 250 people, after which the US eased some of the sanctions against Belarus. Cole previously stated that he expected all political prisoners to be released by the end of the year, and new concessions from Washington may depend on the fulfillment of this condition. At the same time, critics of this approach warn that the United States could provide Lukashenko with additional international legitimacy and ease sanctions pressure in exchange for the release of people who the Belarusian authorities themselves have imprisoned. According to human rights activists, as of August 22, there were at least 878 people recognized as political prisoners in Belarus. Cole also announced his readiness to use his contacts to help Russian political prisoners and facilitate the exchange of civilians between Russia and Ukraine, but his priority remains the release of people in Belarus.
Putin threatened to strike at the most sensitive economic sectors of Ukraine
Putin said, that Ukraine had allegedly opened a “Pandora’s box” by striking at Russian economic facilities. According to him, Moscow is preparing to respond with strikes at the most sensitive sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The statement came after Ukraine stepped up a campaign of drone strikes on Russian economic infrastructure, including oil refineries and online retailer warehouses. Kyiv says the attacks are necessary to target infrastructure used to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“The Kiev regime set itself the goal of damaging our economy. What did it do? It opened this Pandora’s box itself. Well, then expect a response aimed at your most sensitive economic sectors,” Putin told Russian state television.
Russia is already responding with strikes on Ukrainian economic infrastructure, including facilities related to Ukrainian grain exports across the Black Sea. Putin also said that Russia’s export problems would not lead to a global food shortage.
“We do face problems with shipping our goods, but we will resolve these issues. So, there will be no shortage on the world market,” he said.
At the same time, the Russian leader again declared his readiness for peace talks, but only on the basis of what he called “realities on the ground,” rejecting the options proposed by Ukraine through intermediaries as “exotic.”
Photo: REUTERS
Author: Danylo Pievchev