Zelensky names new ambassadors during Ukraine political shakeup
The new envoys named on Monday include ambassadors to NATO members Belgium, Canada, Estonia and Spain, as well as major donor Japan and regional heavyweights South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Zelensky launched a major government reshuffle last week, promoting Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, who had served as economy minister and is well known in Washington, to head the cabinet as prime minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna is set to become Ukraine's new envoy to the United States, as Ukraine seeks to mend ties with the Trump administration.
In remarks to the diplomatic corps released by his office, Zelensky said envoys needed to support 'everything that causes Russia pain for its war.'
'While the content of our relationship with America has transformed following the change in administration, the goal remains unchanged: Ukraine must withstand Russia's strikes,' Zelensky said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Ukraine's Zelensky says ‘listened' to protesters on anti-graft law
KYIV: Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said his government had heard protesters opposing a law revoking the independence of anti-corruption agencies and had responded by proposing new legislation. The adoption of the bill, which curbed the powers of two anti-graft bodies, triggered the biggest public protests in Ukraine since Russia's invasion and drew criticism from Kyiv's European allies. 'It is absolutely normal to react when people don't want something or when they dislike something,' Zelensky said in comments released to journalists on Friday, adding it was 'very important that we listened and responded adequately.' 'For me, it was very important that we listened and responded adequately,' Zelensky added. The government has since submitted a bill aimed at restoring the independence of the anti-graft bodies – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). It remains to be seen whether parliament, mostly loyal to Zelensky, will approve the draft law. Zelensky acknowledged there should 'probably have been more of a dialogue' before the law was adopted. 'I am focused on the issue of the war because right now, the number one issue in Ukraine is the war. The biggest problem is the war. The main enemy is Russia.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
17 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with His Eritrean Counterpart
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea Osman Ali Saleh, SPA reported. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, in addition to discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
EU Approves Counter-tariffs on US Goods, Says Trade Deal within Reach
The European Commission said on Thursday a negotiated trade solution with the United States is within reach - while EU members voted to approve counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of US goods in case the talks collapse. The 27-nation bloc's executive has repeatedly said its primary focus is on reaching a deal to avert 30% US tariffs that US President Donald Trump has said he will apply on August 1. "Our focus is on finding a negotiated outcome with the US ... We believe such an outcome is within reach," an EU spokesperson said in response to reporters' questions, Reuters reported. Alongside negotiations, the Commission has pressed on with plans for potential countermeasures, merging two packages of proposed tariffs of 21 billion euros and 72 billion euros into a single list and submitting this to EU members for approval. The rate would be up to 30%, designed to mirror US tariffs, EU sources said. Diplomats said EU countries overwhelmingly approved the measures on Thursday, which the Commission later confirmed. The first package of countermeasures would enter force on August 7, with tariffs on soybeans and almonds delayed until December 1, an EU official said. The second package would enter force in two stages on September 7 and February 7. So far the EU has held back from imposing any countermeasures, despite Trump's tariffs already covering 70% of EU exports. EU member states authorised the first package of countermeasures in April, but these were immediately suspended to allow time for negotiations. CLOSING ON DEAL The EU and United States now appear to be heading towards a possible trade deal, according to EU diplomats, which would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the US, mirroring a framework agreement Washington struck with Japan. Trump would still need to take any final decision. The White House said discussions of a deal should be considered "speculation". Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro told Bloomberg News the report from the EU should be taken with "a grain of salt." French Finance Minister Eric Lombard and Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told a joint press conference in Paris they were not aware of a draft agreement, Urso adding he would only pass judgment when one was reached. There was little information available about what the EU would offer the United States to secure a deal. One EU diplomat said the bloc was not looking at a pledge of investment in the United States, as Japan has agreed. Another said the EU might reduce some of its own duties. Its current import duty for cars is 10%. Under the outlines of the potential deal, the 15% rate could apply to sectors including cars and pharmaceuticals and would not be added to long-standing US duties, which average just under 5%. There could also be exemptions for sectors such as aircraft, lumber as well as some medicines and agricultural products, which would not face tariffs, diplomats said. Washington does not, however, appear willing to lower its 50% tariff on steel.
