New faces in Ukrainian diplomacy: Zelensky will appoint new ambassadors to 15 countries, including former Prosecutor General Kostin to the Netherlands.

The President of Ukraine plans to implement a significant overhaul of the diplomatic corps in the near future. A considerable portion of the appointments will be made from career diplomats, although there are some unconventional choices as well.

For instance, the former Attorney General Andriy Kostin will be appointed as the ambassador to the Netherlands. This information comes from sources within "Mirror of the Week." According to the publication, around 30 ambassadors are expected to be appointed to more than 15 countries worldwide. Among them are the following:

• Austria - Yuriy Vitrenko. The former head of Naftogaz of Ukraine, known for his active involvement in legal proceedings against Gazprom.
• Estonia - Vasyl Boyechko. A diplomat with experience working in the Baltic countries, which is crucial for strengthening ties with key partners in the region. Boyechko is a Ukrainian historian and diplomat, a researcher of Ukrainian history, international relations, issues of national relations, the history of Ukrainian-Moldovan relations, and cooperation. He served as Ukraine's Consul General in Suceava (2001-2005, 2009-2014).
• Spain - Yulia Sokolovska. The former Minister of Social Policy in Oleksiy Honcharuk's government, known for her reputation as a crisis manager.
• Finland - Mykhailo Vydoinyk. An experienced diplomat who previously held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Notably, he was the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark (2018 - 2023).
• Germany - Yevhen Korniichuk. The former ambassador to Israel, recognized for his active role in defending Ukrainian interests. A former member and leader of the Ukrainian Social Democratic Party (from November 2006 to December 2011). First Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine (2007–2010).
• Netherlands - Andriy Kostin. The former Attorney General who recently left his position. His appointment has sparked discussions.
• Norway - Oleg Havrysh. A journalist and media figure with connections in political circles.
• Canada - Andriy Plakhotniuk. A representative of the Ukrainian diaspora, known for his active stance in supporting Ukraine abroad. A Kharkiv native, he is the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Sweden (since 2020).
• Belgium - Yaroslav Melnyk. A diplomat with experience in European institutions. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy since September 20, 2020. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to San Marino since August 11, 2021. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Malta since December 13, 2021. Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations since January 29, 2021.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - Volodymyr Bachynskyi.
• Cyprus - Serhiy Nizhynskyi. Head of the NGO "UA Experts," advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Ph.D. in Law.
• Georgia - Mykhailo Brodovych. A diplomat with experience in the region, known for his commitment to enhancing bilateral relations. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine. Honorary Doctor of the Prykarpattia National University named after Vasyl Stefanyk (since 2011).
• Japan - Yuriy Lutovynov.
• South Korea - Dmytro Senik. The former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for economic diplomacy, digital development, digital transformations, and digitization. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Singapore (2015—2020). Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Arab Emirates (since 2022) and concurrently to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (since 2022).
• China - Oleksandr Nechytaylo. An expert in cooperation with Asia. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Malaysia (June 18, 2016 — May 4, 2022). Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines (September 2, 2017 - May 4, 2022, concurrently).

 Major Changes in Ambassadors in Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky intends to carry out major personnel changes among ambassadors. In particular, changes are planned for diplomats from our country in Brazil and Canada. Additionally, a new ambassador to the UN is also expected.

Overall, it has been reported that the president aims to replace at least 20 ambassadors. Sources from Radio NV in the President's Office and diplomatic circles indicated that the president agreed to replace Oksana Markarova, as demanded by Republicans. However, a candidate for her position has not yet been selected. According to some reports, there are three main candidates for her replacement in the President's Office. Meanwhile, Markarova is expected to serve until the end of her three-year term, which concludes in February 2025.

On December 21, the President of Ukraine, as anticipated, conducted a series of personnel changes. He signed decrees to dismiss several diplomatic representatives of our country, specifically concerning ambassadors in China, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Rwanda.

Sources indicated that after dismissing a number of ambassadors, Zelensky has already signed several decrees for appointing new diplomatic representatives. In particular, he appointed new diplomats in the Philippines, Lithuania, Rwanda, Hungary, Slovenia, and Congo. Furthermore, the president changed the head of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO.

As for the ambassador of Ukraine to Hungary, it will be Fedir Shandor (his name became widely known due to his voluntary enlistment in the Ukrainian army following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year. He not only fought on the front lines but also lectured students directly from the trenches during breaks between battles).