Ukraine has a new Foreign Minister to replace Mr. Kuleba

The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) on September 5 voted to approve the nomination of Andrii Sybiha as the country's new Foreign Minister.

Mr. Sybiha, 49, replaces Mr. Dmytro Kuleba, who has been Ukraine's foreign minister since 2020 but resigned on September 4 as President Volodymyr Zelensky began the biggest cabinet reshuffle since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine.

Mr Sybiha was previously Mr Zelensky's deputy chief of staff, before being appointed first deputy foreign minister in April.

Sources close to the Ukrainian presidential office told Politico that Mr. Sybiha is “a strong, classic diplomat, very experienced and has worked with international partners since the beginning of the military conflict in February 2022.

Mr. Andrii Sybiha. Photo: Getty Images

The reshuffle comes at a tense time for Ukraine, which is struggling to contain Russia's advances in the east while still launching an offensive in Russia's Kursk region.

“We need new energy,” Mr. Zelensky said on September 4 when asked about the reforms. “And these steps involve strengthening our state in many areas.”

Mr Kuleba, 43, was Ukraine's youngest foreign minister when he was appointed by President Zelensky in 2020, and is also the most high-profile figure to leave in Mr Zelensky's Cabinet reshuffle.

As a wartime foreign minister, Mr Kuleba became a familiar face in the West as he traveled the world in search of more military support for his country. The son of an ambassador, the bespectacled diplomat was one of the most gifted public speakers in Ukrainian politics.

Mr Kuleba has spent recent months trying to convince allies to allow Kiev to use Western-supplied weapons to strike military targets deep inside Russian territory.

Despite some opposition from key allies, he was admired for his communication skills.

Analysts say they do not expect any changes in Ukraine's foreign policy. In its war with Russia, the country's top diplomat has often played second fiddle to the presidential office on many key foreign policy issues.

There is widespread speculation in Kiev that Mr Kuleba will be moved into a role related to Ukraine's efforts to join the NATO military alliance.

Minh Duc (According to Politico EU, Digital Journal, Al Jazeera)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/ukraine-co-ngoai-truong-moi-thay-the-ong-kuleba-204240905201718436.htm