This is reported by Kyiv24
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has appointed Olha Stefanishyna as the special envoy for the development of cooperation with the United States of America. This became known in connection with the preparation of her candidacy for approval as the Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA, which is currently undergoing formal procedures in Washington.
Stefanishyna’s Role in Relations with the USA
Zelensky emphasized that Stefanishyna’s appointment aims to ensure continuity in the development of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the USA. She will focus her efforts on maintaining the momentum of cooperation while her candidacy for the ambassador position is being agreed upon. The President expressed gratitude for Stefanishyna’s significant contribution to the processes of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
“In a few years, we have made more progress in our rapprochement with the European Union than in several previous decades. Olha has also participated in negotiations with the USA regarding a new format for our economic cooperation and the establishment of the Ukrainian-American Investment Fund for Reconstruction. We will continue to work with America on this basis, adding mutually beneficial economic substance to our political and diplomatic interactions,” the president added.
Discussion of Changes in the Diplomatic Corps and Investigations
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky announced his intention to replace the current Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA, Oksana Markarova. Initially, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was also considered among the candidates for this position, but later information emerged about the nomination of Olha Stefanishyna, who currently holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Ukraine.
In June, the media drew attention to the company “KAMparitet,” which ARMA selected to manage the Trade Union House in Kyiv. According to journalists, this company may be linked to Stefanishyna’s family through her ex-husband Mykhailo. Olha Stefanishyna, for her part, denied any involvement in the activities of ARMA or the agency’s competitions and stated that she had not received any inquiries from her ex-husband regarding these matters. Representatives of ARMA also dismissed accusations of violations during the selection of “KAMparitet.”
On July 16, MP Oleksiy Honcharenko spoke about the response from NABU to his inquiry regarding possible unlawful actions by Stefanishyna. According to law enforcement, a criminal proceeding has been opened on the grounds of probable abuse of office. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the initiation of an investigation into potential abuses at the National Agency for Asset Recovery, noting that Stefanishyna does not have the status of a suspect in this case.