Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Andrii Sybil, the country’s former ambassador to Turkey, as the new foreign minister, Deutsche Welle’s Turkish service reported on Thursday.
Sybiha will replace Dmytro Kuleba, who has led Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Big congratulations for @andrii_sybiha for his nomination as the head of @MFA_Ukraine. Ukrainian diplomacy plays a key role in fighting Russian aggression and it can count on our strongest support, anywhere in the world. 🇺🇦🇵🇱 https://t.co/VAc3qvysw6
— Jan Linkowski (@JanekLinkowski) September 5, 2024
Sybiha, 49, served as Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey from 2016 to 2021 and is fluent in Polish and English.
Zelenskyy, citing the need for fresh energy, called for the cabinet reshuffle, though sources say Kuleba’s resignation was not voluntary.
NATO member Turkey has sought to balance ties between its two Black Sea neighbors, Russia and Ukraine, since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ankara has sent drones to Ukraine while not adhering to Western-led sanctions on Moscow.