Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova is leaving her post as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reshapes his country’s diplomatic approach in Washington, according to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
“She is extremely effective and charismatic, but every diplomat has a rotation cycle,” Sybiha said Wednesday on Ukrainian radio, as reported by Pravda. Her departure follows a recent call between Zelenskyy and President Trump, during which the change was discussed. Sybiha confirmed the move is part of Zelenskyy’s plan to rotate ambassadors across all G7 and G20 nations, with Washington being a key focus.
Markarova’s exit came just before a two-day conference in Rome, where U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are among international leaders discussing Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
Appointed in 2021, Markarova has faced criticism from Republicans for perceived partisanship. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused her last September of excluding GOP lawmakers from a Pennsylvania factory tour with Zelenskyy and then-Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she was unable to “fairly and effectively serve as a diplomat.”
In February, Markarova was seen holding her face in frustration during a tense Oval Office exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Potential successors include presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.
