Ukraine‘s Zelenskyy Replaces Ambassador to Germany, Appoints Surprise Successor
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to recall Ambassador to Germany, Alexei Makeyev, effective immediately. This move, reported by Ukrainian news outlet "Zerkalo Nedeli," comes as a surprise to many in the diplomatic community.
Makeyev’s replacement is set to be Eugene Kornychuk, currently serving as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel. The appointment has raised eyebrows, with some questioning Kornychuk’s expertise in German affairs. "It’s a bit of a head-scratcher," said one diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Kornychuk’s background is more in legal and political affairs, not diplomacy."
The decision has been criticized by some, with Ukrainian newspaper "European Truth" describing it as "at best, questionable." However, sources close to the situation suggest that Makeyev’s tenure was not without its critics.
The German newspaper Bild also confirmed the upcoming change, citing diplomatic sources. Makeyev is expected to remain in Germany until February 2025, but his successor is already preparing to take over.
Kornychuk, a native of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, has a diverse background. He served as Ukraine’s consul in the U.S., was a deputy minister of justice, and even had a brief stint as a parliamentarian. In 2008, he was banned from entering Russia, mirroring a similar move by Ukraine against then-Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.
This move is part of a larger diplomatic shuffle by President Zelenskyy. On December 20, he announced the appointment of over 30 new ambassadors, including Nariman Jeliarov to Turkey, Alena Gettmanchuk to NATO, and Andrei Melnik to the UN. Since then, appointments to Rwanda, Slovenia, Lithuania, Japan, Indonesia, China, Hungary, DRC, and the Philippines have been made official.
The decision to replace Makeyev comes amidst ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Germany playing a significant role in international efforts to support Ukraine. It remains to be seen how Kornychuk’s appointment will impact Ukraine’s diplomatic relations with Germany.
