Volodimir Zelenski. Photo credit: DTS Nachrichtenagentur / Imago Stock & People / Profimedia
Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenski announced on Wednesday that he appointed Olga Stefanișina, former deputy prime minister and former Minister of Justice to lead the Kiev Embassy in Washington. Also today, the Ukrainian leader said that members of his administration are going to have a meeting with American officials in New York on Friday, according to AFP.
Zelenski made the announcement about the appointment of Olga Ștefanișina in the role of Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, on Wednesday, in a post on social networks.
“In many ways, the long -term security of Ukraine depends on its relations with America,” the leader from Kiev said.
Olga Ștefanișina will replace her at the head of the Washington diplomatic mission on Oksana Markarova, which held the position of ambassador from 2021, during the former US administration, the one led by Democrat Joe Biden.
The new ambassador was also a minister for European integration and was involved in the negotiations with the US who led to the recent agreement on Ukraine's rare minerals.
Meeting Ukraine-Urea, Friday, New York
Also on Wednesday, Zelenski AA announced that members of his administration will meet with American officials on Friday in New York, as part of the efforts to end the war.
Trump's special emissary Steve Witkoff had reported to the US press that he would meet with Ukraine representatives this week.
“On Friday, meetings will be held in New York, in the United States, with President Trump's team,” following the “meetings in Switzerland” on Thursday, “Ukraine said.
Volodimir Zelenski said his cabinet boss, Andriy Yermak, and the former Minister of Defense Rustem Hourov participated in mediation discussions in Qatar, and other meetings in Saudi Arabia took place on Wednesday.
The diplomatic efforts to end the war have accelerated in the recent weeks, in the context of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump in Alaska, followed by a meeting in Washington between Trump and Zelenski, accompanied by European allies.
Trump said he wants to organize a face-to-face meeting between Russian and Ukrainian presidents, but there were few progress, Moscow and Kiev accusing each other for the deadlock.
Before the conclusion of a possible peace agreement, Ukraine wants security guarantees from the West to discourage any future Russian attacks.
On Wednesday, Zelenski said he saw “very arrogant and negative signals from Moscow on negotiations.”
He asked to exercise “pressure” to “force Russia to take real measures.”
