Zelenskyy says Palisa declined US ambassador post to return to front line
The brigadier general cited Ukrainian law prohibiting dual military and diplomatic service, leaving the Washington seat vacant since August.
By Lauren Foster ·
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Tuesday that Pavlo Palisa turned down a nomination as ambassador to the United States. Palisa told the president he prefers to return to active combat duty rather than serve in a diplomatic capacity abroad.
Zelenskyy disclosed the details during a meeting with journalists. He stated that three candidates were considered for the role: Yuliia Svyrydenko, Dmytro Kuleba, and Palisa. The president noted that Palisa’s American education and fluency in English made him a strong contender. Zelenskyy also pointed out that Trump knows Palisa personally and that substantial work on military issues requires attention in Washington.
“Palisa would be a good ambassador, but he doesn’t want to,” Zelenskyy said. He quoted Palisa’s response as blunt. “Send me to the line of contact, get me back to my brigade urgently. I’m not going anywhere outside Ukraine.”
Palisa is a brigadier general who holds the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. He currently serves as a deputy head of the President’s Office alongside his military career. Before Zelenskyy’s comments, Palisa denied rumors of the appointment. He noted that Ukrainian law prohibits individuals from serving simultaneously in the military and diplomatic services.
Consultations regarding the next ambassador to the United States are still ongoing. No decision has been announced. The position has been vacant for nearly three months after Zelenskyy relieved Olha Stefanishyna of the post on August 3.
The vacancy has left the diplomatic channel between Kyiv and Washington without a dedicated senior representative for that period.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
