Zelenskyy appoints new Ukrainian special representative for US cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Olha Stefanishyna as the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine for the Development of Cooperation with the United States, as Kyiv continues the process of approving her candidacy as the next ambassador to Washington.

“I have signed a decree appointing Olha Stefanishyna as the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine for the Development of Cooperation with the United States of America. In this capacity, Olha will work to maintain momentum in our relations with the U.S. while all the necessary procedures for approving her candidacy with Washington as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States are underway,” Zelenskyy announced in a post on X, Caliber.Az reports.

I have signed a decree appointing Olha Stefanishyna as the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine for the Development of Cooperation with the United States of America. In this capacity, Olha will work to maintain momentum in our relations with the U.S. while all the… pic.twitter.com/kOIUVP7FIK

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 17, 2025

Stefanishyna, a prominent figure in Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration efforts, has played a key role in deepening Ukraine’s ties with the European Union and the United States. Zelenskyy praised her contributions, noting that “much has been achieved” under her leadership.

“I am grateful to Olha for her work on European and Euro-Atlantic integration. It has been a successful effort. In just a few years, we have made more progress in rapprochement with the European Union than in the previous several decades,” he said.

The Ukrainian president also highlighted Stefanishyna’s involvement in shaping a new economic partnership with Washington and the creation of the Ukraine-US. Reconstruction Investment Fund.

“We will continue to work with the United States on this basis — adding mutually beneficial economic substance to our political and diplomatic interaction," he added. 

By Sabina Mammadli