Zelensky blames FM for lackluster arms donations
3 Min Read
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly accused Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of failing to secure more arms supplies from Western sponsors.
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, on August 29, 2024. (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly criticized Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba for not securing sufficient arms from Western allies, which he cited as a reason for dismissing the diplomat.
Kuleba resigned this week amid a sweeping cabinet reshuffle. According to MP David Arakhamia, leader of the parliamentary faction of Zelensky's Servant of the People party, over half of Ukraine's senior officials will be replaced. He discussed his plans with his faction on Wednesday evening after the Ukrainian parliament failed to approve some of the proposed changes to the cabinet.
He is reportedly seen by Ukraine's foreign supporters as the most prominent figure targeted in the purge. According to a source within the party who spoke to the Suspilne news outlet, Zelensky told MPs that the diplomat "lacks the energy to drive forward the delivery of weapons."
Last week, Kuleba criticized unnamed Western donors for not providing the Patriot air defense systems that were promised to Kiev. He has also been lobbying, unsuccessfully, for the US and its allies to allow the use of Western long-range weapons for strikes deep within Russia.
Arakhamia has confirmed that Kuleba would be replaced by First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga. Previously a deputy to Andrey Yermak, Zelensky's influential chief-of-staff, Sibiga was transferred to the Foreign Ministry in April, sparking speculation in Ukrainian media that he was being groomed to lead the ministry.
According to sources close to the Ukrainian leader, cited by The Economist, Zelensky had initially planned to remove Kuleba earlier but was dissuaded by the US Department of State. It is worth noting that Kuleba has submitted his resignation letter to the parliament, the Ukrainian parliament speaker revealed.
Ukrainskaya Pravda reported Tuesday evening, citing a source from the President's office, that Kuleba is expected to be sacked by President Volodymyr Zelensky, joining four other cabinet members to be dismissed from their duties.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), posted a photo of the resignation letter on Facebook and stated that it would be discussed during a future plenary session.
Neither Stefanchuk nor Kuleba have stated any reasons for the resignation.
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