Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, according to BILD citing sources in diplomatic circles.
As per the publication's sources, Zelensky dismissed Oleksiy Makeiev, who held the position since September 2022. His successor will be the current Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk.
BILD notes that the official reason for Makeiev's replacement is regular rotation of diplomats. However, diplomatic circles suggest that this decision may have been influenced by the "systematic and public" criticism of Makeiev from his predecessor, Andriy Melnyk. The former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany criticized Makeiev for his lack of activity and urged him to make greater efforts in his work.
According to BILD, Makeiev will remain in Berlin until February. During his tenure as ambassador, Germany supplied Ukraine with 121 battle tanks and 140 armored personnel carriers, along with a significant amount of other weaponry.
Ukrainian Ambassadors to Germany - What We Know
In July 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Andriy Melnyk from his position as Ukraine's ambassador to Germany. Melnyk headed the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Germany for 8 years, while ambassadors typically return from their posts after four to a maximum of six years. He was particularly noted for his loud criticism of the German authorities.
Melnyk also repeatedly publicly criticized his successor Oleksiy Makeiev. He specifically accused Makeiev of arrogance and called for greater attention to be paid to criticism from Kyiv. He also indirectly accused him of improper performance of duties and delays in assistance from Germany.