Zelenskyy appoints new representative for U.S. ties before she takes over as ambassador

He announced the information on social media.

Stefanishyna will hold this role while Washington completes procedures to approve her as Ukraine’s next ambassador to the U.S.

I have signed a decree appointing Olha Stefanishyna as the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine for the Development of Cooperation with the United States of America. In this capacity, Olha will work to maintain momentum in our relations with the U.S. ,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He also thanked Stefanishyna — formerly Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration — for her effective service in that role.

“Much has been achieved. In just a few years, we have made more progress in rapprochement with the European Union than in the previous several decades. Olha also took part in negotiations with the United States on a new format for our economic cooperation and the creation of the Ukraine-U.S. Reconstruction Investment Fund,” Zelenskyy wrote.

“We will continue to work with the United States on this basis — adding mutually beneficial economic substance to our political and diplomatic interaction,” he added.

• On July 10, President Zelenskyy said that Rustem Umerov could become the new Ukrainian ambassador to the United States.