By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed six ambassadors whose postings covered eight countries and changed Kyiv's representation at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as part of a diplomatic reshuffle announced on August 3.
The presidential decrees ended Olha Stefanishyna's tenure as Ukraine's ambassador to the United States and removed five other diplomats serving in Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and Southeast Asia. The documents did not state the reasons for most of the changes.
Volodymyr Khomanets was dismissed as ambassador to Tunisia and concurrently to Libya, while Vasyl Khymynets was removed from his post in Austria. Valerii Yevdokymov's assignment in Tajikistan and Valerii Zhovtenko's posting in Kyrgyzstan were also terminated.
Kateryna Zelenko was dismissed as ambassador to Singapore and concurrently to Brunei. Taken together with Stefanishyna's departure from Washington, the decisions cover six ambassadors and eight countries.
The reshuffle reaches several regions where Ukraine has sought to protect diplomatic support, limit Russian influence and expand political and economic ties during the war. Khomanets had represented Ukraine in both Tunisia and Libya, while Yevdokymov and Zhovtenko served in Central Asian states that maintain close political and economic relations with Russia.
Khymynets had led Ukraine's mission in Austria since 2021, representing Kyiv in a country that retains constitutional military neutrality but has supported European Union sanctions against Russia and provided humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Ukraine changes UNESCO representation
Zelensky also ended Ambassador Vadym Omelchenko's additional role as Ukraine's permanent representative to UNESCO.
Omelchenko remains Ukraine's ambassador to France, but responsibility for the UNESCO mission will pass to Viktoriia Lyalina-Boyko, who was appointed permanent representative under a separate decree. Before the appointment, she served as director of the Public Diplomacy and Communications Department at Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.
The move separates Ukraine's UNESCO representation from its embassy in Paris at a time when Kyiv is pressing international institutions to document damage to cultural heritage, protect Ukrainian cultural property and challenge Russian claims over sites in occupied territories.
The decrees did not name replacements for the vacated ambassadorial posts. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is expected to manage the missions through temporary chiefs of mission until new ambassadors are nominated and formally appointed.
Sources: Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform, Bosphorus News review and reporting.