In Kyiv, discussions around Ukraine’s foreign diplomacy have intensified as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy weighs the potential resignation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The topic has been reported by Strana.ua, which cites sources close to the presidency and other diplomatic circles. The essence of the chatter is that the presidency is not fully satisfied with the current state of the diplomatic corps and its public-facing performance, especially in embassies abroad where challenges and friction have been observed. According to the report, the dissatisfaction comes from a range of actors, including political insiders and longtime diplomats who have firsthand experience in specific countries, pointing to a broader concern about the effectiveness and morale of Ukraine’s diplomatic service at critical moments.
Insiders have pointed to Igor Zhovkva, the deputy chairman of the Office of the President, as the most likely competitor to succeed Kuleba should a removal occur. Zhovkva has long been a central figure in Ukraine’s diplomatic communications, acting as a liaison between Kyiv and many Western capitals. His potential appointment would signal a continuity approach, focusing on messaging and alliance-building at a time when Western support remains pivotal for Kyiv’s security and reform agenda.
On March 8, Zelenskiy acknowledged that changes within leadership, including the resignation of generals, can be part of a normal process in public life. The president’s comments underscored a willingness to adapt personnel as Ukraine seeks a more streamlined and effective approach to governance and international diplomacy during a hard-edged phase of conflict and reconstruction.
In related remarks from a day earlier, Kuleba emphasized the need for Western partners to deploy military missions to Ukraine for advisory and training purposes. His call aligns with years of diplomatic negotiation and defense collaboration that Kyiv has pursued to bolster its armed forces and institutional capacity. The push for external advisory missions reflects Ukraine’s strategy to leverage international expertise while sustaining its own, homegrown response to the security crisis.
Beyond the policy dialogue, the Ukrainian foreign minister has also spoken to the patriotic impulse of those who left the country to defend it and who continue to support Ukraine from abroad. The statement highlighted the role of expatriate communities and volunteers who remain engaged in humanitarian and defense efforts, reinforcing Kyiv’s narrative of unity and resilience both at home and in the diaspora.
Earlier statements from Zelenskiy touched on the ongoing conflict along the Black Sea coast, with details about operations in and around Odessa. Ukraine’s leadership continues to frame incidents in a way that emphasizes sovereignty and the necessity of external backing for security and reconstruction projects. The evolving situation keeps foreign policy in sharp focus for international audiences, especially partners in Canada and the United States who remain attentive to diplomatic stewardship, sanctions policy, and aid commitments.