German minister bids farewell to Ukrainian counterpart

German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock has addressed her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, following his resignation.

“Long conversations on night trains, at the G7, on the frontlines, in Brussels, in front of a bombed-out power plant. There are few people I've worked as closely with as you, Dmytro Kuleba. You put the people of your country before yourself,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the minister’s message on X.

She wished Kuleba all the best and assured him that they will meet again when peace and freedom finally return to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, one of the country's most prominent international figures, resigned on September 4 ahead of an anticipated significant government reshuffle. Meanwhile, Russian strikes claimed the lives of seven people in a city in western Ukraine, following one of the deadliest missile attacks since the war's onset.

Kuleba, 43, did not provide a reason for his resignation. Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced on Facebook that lawmakers would discuss Kuleba's resignation in their next session. On September 3, four other Cabinet ministers also resigned, suggesting this could be the most substantial Cabinet reshuffle since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted last week that a reshuffle was forthcoming as Ukraine approaches a critical phase of the conflict, with the 1,000-day mark approaching in November. He emphasized the need for "new energy," including in diplomacy. However, during a press conference in Kyiv with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, Zelenskyy noted that he could not yet announce any replacements, as he was uncertain if the candidates would accept his invitation to join the government.