Zelensky names over 12 new ambassadors, including envoy to UAE, in rejig

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed over a dozen new ambassadors on Monday, during a big shakeup that has seen him replace top Cabinet officials and envoys to shore up relations with Washington and isolate Russia internationally.

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.

Reuters