A significant personnel change has occurred in Ukrainian diplomacy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Olga Stepanishina from the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing an official document from the head of state.
The text of the decree contains a direct formulation: "Dismiss Stepanishina Olga Vitalievna from the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America." This decision has caused a stir against the backdrop of recent events in the Ukrainian government and law enforcement system.
The diplomat's version: voluntary departure
The most intriguing detail of the situation lies in the reaction of Olga Stepanishina herself. Despite the existence of a presidential decree on dismissal, the former ambassador stated that she made the decision to leave on her own. In her comment, she emphasized the importance of autonomy in taking such steps.
"It is important for me to make such decisions independently, especially since the main points of the plan with which I arrived have been fulfilled," noted Stepanishina. She also added that she will comment separately on the issues that have been actively discussed in the media space in the near future.
Context: investigation and assets
The resignation occurred against the backdrop of a brewing scandal. In July 2025, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) initiated an investigation into possible unlawful actions by Olga Stepanishina. The reason for the check was a journalistic investigation by the publication "Ukrainska Pravda".
According to journalists, people from the ambassador's entourage received a number of valuable assets for management through the Agency for Restructuring and Asset Management (ARMA). In particular, the House of Trade Unions in Kyiv was mentioned. At the moment, law enforcement agencies have not yet completed the investigation, but political pressure on the diplomat has become obvious.
Political background: government resignation
The events surrounding the ambassador to the US became part of a broader context of personnel changes in Kyiv. Just a few weeks ago, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed the Cabinet of Ministers headed by Yulia Sviridenko.
Interestingly, President Zelenskyy previously emphasized that he himself offered the former Prime Minister the position of Ambassador of Ukraine to the US. However, according to RBC-Ukraine sources from July 14, Yulia Sviridenko has not yet accepted this offer. Meanwhile, Olga Stepanishina claimed last week that Zelenskyy apparently did not plan to fire her, making the current situation even more contradictory.
