Zelensky sacks ambassador to UK for criticizing the President

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Jul 2023 13:25

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reveals his true colors of "democracy" when he decisively sacked Vadym Prystaiko who had openly criticized him.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures as he gives a press conference in Kiev on February 24, 2023, on the first anniversary of the Russian operation in Ukraine (AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed Vadym Prystaiko from his position as the country's Ambassador to the United Kingdom. The dismissal came after Prystaiko criticized Zelensky's response to remarks made by British Defense Minister Ben Wallace regarding Ukraine's gratitude for military aid from its allies. Wallace suggested that Ukraine should show more appreciation for the weapons supplied by the UK.

In response to Wallace's comments, Zelensky expressed his frustration at a NATO summit, stating that he didn't know how else to demonstrate Ukraine's gratitude and humorously suggested waking up every morning to personally express thanks to the British minister.

Prystaiko acknowledged that Zelensky's response was sarcastic, saying, "I don't believe that this sarcasm is healthy; We don't have to show the Russians that we have something between us, they have to know that we are working together."

He also emphasized the importance of working together with the UK and offered to keep an open channel of communication with Wallace.

Prystaiko is considered an experienced career diplomat, having served as Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Kingdom since July 2020. Before that, he held the position of Ukraine's Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2020.

Back in January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a substantial government overhaul. Simultaneously, at least nine top civil servants were fired for corruption, including four deputy ministers and five regional governors, while numerous more high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko and Deputy Head of Zelensky's office Kyrylo Tymoshenko, resigned.

It is worth noting that corruption swept Ukraine long before the beginning of the war. Today, corruption plagued Kiev especially as hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and aid stream into the country, and the cost of reconstruction activities is anticipated to be in the billions. Furthermore, many have been warning that foreign weapons being supplied to Ukraine are sold on the black market, most notably in Africa.