Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed Vadym Prystaiko, the country’s ambassador to the UK, from his post. The dismissal comes after Prystaiko publicly criticized President Zelensky’s handling of a dispute over gratitude for British military aid.
The issue arose when UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace urged Ukraine to show appreciation for the weapons it received in order to win more support from Western politicians. At a NATO summit, Wallace stated that allies were “not Amazon,” implying that Ukraine needed to express gratitude for the military assistance it received.
President Zelensky’s response to Wallace’s remarks raised eyebrows, as he promised to thank the UK defence minister every morning. Ambassador Prystaiko expressed concern, calling the president’s promise “unhealthy sarcasm.”
Although the official reason for Prystaiko’s dismissal has not been disclosed by Kyiv, it is evident that his recent criticism of Zelensky played a significant role. Prystaiko had served as the ambassador to the UK since 2020 but was relieved of his duties in a presidential decree issued last Friday. Additionally, he was also removed from his role as Ukraine’s representative to the International Maritime Organization.
The diplomatic spat between the UK and Ukraine drew attention and sparked public outrage in Kyiv. President Zelensky’s decision to sack the ambassador indicates his firm stance on the matter.
This is not the first time President Zelensky has taken action regarding ambassadors. Last year, he dismissed five ambassadors at once as part of a reshuffle. Notably, the controversial ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, was removed from his post. Known for his outspoken social media presence, Melnyk had repeatedly called for military aid to Ukraine. However, his dismissal came after he accused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of being “sulky” when he was slow to respond to a presidential invitation to visit Kyiv. The move was seen as significant given the importance of Germany’s role in European politics and diplomacy.
