Volodymyr Zelensky expels his ambassador to the UK

YuNo penalty? On Friday, July 21, Volodymyr Zelensky expelled his ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko, a key figure in the Relations between Kyiv and London. His decision was formalized by a decree posted on the website of the Presidency of Ukraine. No reason is given. But it looks like punishment. The ambassador had recently criticized the Ukrainian president, lamenting the “sarcasm” directed at British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who demanded more gratitude for the military assistance provided by Kiev’s allies.

On July 12, on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ben Wallace claimed that the UK is “not an Amazon” for supplying weapons to Ukraine, suggesting that Kiev could show more “gratitude”.

Volodymyr Zelensky is keen to support the UK

The United Kingdom has been one of Cave’s staunchest supporters and a major donor of arms since the beginning of the conflict with Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky responded during a press conference, claiming to be very “grateful” to the British people. “Tell me, otherwise how can I express my gratitude?” Or can we get up in the morning and express our gratitude personally to the minister? He was joking again the Ukrainian president.

Read alsoZelensky’s tour: what Kiev got from its partnersThe next day, Vadym Prystaiko expressed his displeasure in an interview with Britain’s Sky News that Volodymyr Zelensky had responded with “a bit of sarcasm”. “I don’t think cynicism is healthy. We shouldn’t show the Russians that something is going on between us, and they should know we work together,” he said, stressing the need to cool relations with the UK. “If something happens, Ben can call me and tell me anything he wants,” he said. A career diplomat, Vadym Prystaiko has been the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom since July 2020. He previously served as Foreign Secretary from 2019 to 2020.

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