Svyrydenko has not accepted Zelenskyy's offer to become U.S. envoy
Read NV on Google
After meeting with President Zelenskyy, Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that she will step down as prime minister (Photo: Yulia Svyrydenko/Facebook)
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has not accepted President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal that she become Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, public broadcaster Suspilne reported on July 14, citing sources.
Three sources close to Svyrydenko said that as of the morning of July 14, she was not considering the position for herself. It remains unclear whether she has formally declined the president's offer.
A source in the Office of the President told Suspilne that Svyrydenko's removal as prime minister was explained specifically by the need to replace Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, a position currently held by Olga Stefanishyna.
MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said Svyrydenko may turn down the ambassador post, since her removal as prime minister came as "unwelcome news" to her. According to Zheleznyak, Svyrydenko also plans to discuss "her future" with the president.
Ukraine's government reshuffle
On July 12, Zelenskyy announced upcoming changes to the government and offered Svyrydenko a different position. Svyrydenko confirmed she would step down as prime minister.
According to Zheleznyak, potential candidates for the prime minister's post include current Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and Sergii Koretskyi, chairman of the board of Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz. According to Zheleznyak and several media reports, Koretskyi is considered the leading candidate to head the new composition of the Cabinet.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, Svyrydenko had been expected to become ambassador to the United States, replacing Olga Stefanishyna, who had requested to end her diplomatic service for personal reasons. Zheleznyak also said the change in ambassadors to the United States was "somewhat of a forced move."
The current prime minister's resignation is expected to take effect on July 14.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
