Kyiv: In a potential shake-up of Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Washington, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has reportedly discussed the replacement of Ambassador Oksana Markarova during a recent phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
The conversation, which took place on Friday, is being described by Zelenskiy as the “most productive” dialogue he has had with Trump so far. While official details of the call remain scarce, Bloomberg citing a source familiar with the matter reported that the issue of Ukraine’s envoy to the U.S. featured prominently.
Among the names reportedly under consideration for the prestigious diplomatic post are some of Ukraine’s top political figures: Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The selection of any of these individuals would signal a bold new chapter in Kyiv’s approach to diplomacy with Washington, especially as Ukraine continues to seek robust Western support amid an increasingly complex geopolitical climate.
Ambassador Oksana Markarova, a seasoned diplomat and former finance minister, has served in Washington since 2021. Her tenure has seen Ukraine deepen military, economic, and political ties with the U.S., particularly in the wake of Russia’s ongoing invasion. However, with Trump back in office and relations shifting in tone, Kyiv appears poised to recalibrate its diplomatic strategy.
President Zelenskiy, in public remarks over the weekend, avoided naming specific topics discussed with Trump but affirmed that their dialogue covered “several important matters” and marked a significant step forward in bilateral communication.
As of Monday, the White House has not issued any comment on the Bloomberg report, and Reuters was unable to independently confirm the details. The Biden-era administration had worked closely with Ambassador Markarova, and any potential change would signal Kyiv’s desire to realign its diplomatic message to match Trump’s foreign policy approach.
For Ukraine, the coming days could mark more than just a personnel shift it may be the start of a renewed diplomatic direction with one of its most critical allies.