Zelensky sacks Ukraine's US ambassador Olga Stefanishyna

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, by decree on Monday, a move that had been expected after a government reshuffle last month.

Stefanishyna said in a Facebook post that she had asked to be relieved of her duties and that the decision was her own, “dictated by personal circumstances”. She called the Washington post “the greatest honour” of her life.

The dismissal came as Kyiv was lobbying Washington for more Patriot air defence missiles to counter Russian strikes. The ambassadorial role is especially important for Ukraine because it depends on US arms deliveries and intelligence-sharing in the conflict with Russia.

Stefanishyna, a former deputy prime minister and justice minister, was nominated as ambassador in July last year. She said Ukraine had increased the supply of American weapons and maintained support while the political climate in Washington was shifting against Kyiv.

Relations between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump have been strained, although Trump has recently been more encouraging toward the Ukrainian leader.

Ukrainian media reported that Stefanishyna is under investigation by the country's anti-corruption agency on suspicion of wrongdoing. She has not been formally accused.

Zelensky has not announced who will replace her in Washington.