Zelensky dismissed the Ukrainian ambassadors to Croatia, Albania and Montenegro

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has relieved several Ukrainian ambassadors of their duties, including the ambassador to Croatia, Vasily Kiriichuk. According to official presidential decrees published on the website of Ukraine’s president, Kiriichuk was removed from his post as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Croatia. The decree, numbered 709/2026, states that Kiriichuk will no longer hold this position. The reasons for his removal have not been disclosed, nor has information been given about who will replace him. Kiriichuk had been appointed to the role in December 2019 under a presidential order, number 942/2019. Before taking up the ambassadorship in Zagreb, he worked in the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. He succeeded Sergei Horopai, who had represented Ukraine in Croatia for nearly seven years. In addition to Kiriichuk, Zelensky has also relieved Ukrainian ambassadors in Albania, Montenegro, and Pakistan. Decree 710/2026 ended the tenure of Volodymyr Skurov, who had served as Ukraine's ambassador to Albania since April 2020. Decree 711/2026 terminated the duties of Oleh Herasymenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Montenegro. Decree 712/2026 saw the removal of Mykhailo Chuchuk, Ukraine’s ambassador to Pakistan. These changes followed Zelensky’s decision earlier in August to relieve Olena Stefaniyshyna of her duties as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States. Stefaniyshyna had been dismissed on August 3, 2026, after which the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine ordered her to pay a bail of six million hryvnias, approximately $134,000. She faces allegations of illegal enrichment and providing false information in her property declaration. Stefaniyshyna stated she does not have enough funds to cover the bail set by the court. The dismissals of these diplomats come amid ongoing scrutiny of corruption within Ukraine’s foreign service. Earlier this month, Zelensky’s administration faced pressure over allegations of misconduct involving high-ranking officials. While the exact reasons behind the recent dismissals remain unclear, they follow a pattern of personnel changes within Ukraine’s diplomatic corps. The lack of public explanation for these decisions has raised questions among analysts and observers about the motivations behind them. Kiriichuk’s tenure in Croatia spanned nearly seven years, during which he played a key role in representing Ukraine’s interests in the region. His replacement has yet to be announced, leaving the embassy in Zagreb temporarily without leadership. Similarly, the embassies in Tirana, Podgorica, and Islamabad are now seeking new ambassadors to take over the roles left vacant by the resignations or dismissals of their previous occupants. Zelensky’s recent actions reflect broader efforts to address corruption and inefficiency within Ukraine’s government and diplomatic institutions. However, the sudden nature of these dismissals has led to speculation about whether they are part of a larger restructuring effort or linked to specific investigations into misconduct. The absence of detailed explanations from the presidential office adds to the uncertainty surrounding the motives behind these decisions. Analysts suggest that the timing of these dismissals could be connected to internal reviews or external pressures facing Ukraine’s diplomatic community. Some reports indicate that the High Anti-Corruption Court has been increasingly active in holding officials accountable for financial irregularities. This context may explain why Zelensky has chosen to act swiftly in removing certain diplomats from their posts. The Ukrainian government has not commented publicly on the reasons for these changes, and no formal statements have been issued regarding the selection process for the new ambassadors. As a result, the diplomatic landscape in several countries is currently in flux, with the potential for shifts in Ukraine’s representation abroad. The situation underscores the complex interplay between political accountability and international relations in Ukraine’s current governance framework.