Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, has stepped down from his position as part of a broader shakeup within the Ukrainian government.
Growing List of High Profile Exits
The news was confirmed by the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, on Wednesday, September 4th. Kuleba’s resignation will be reviewed by lawmakers in an upcoming parliamentary session, according to SE.
Kuleba’s resignation comes shortly after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a series of government changes aimed at strengthening the administration and delivering the results Ukraine needs during this challenging period.
Kuleba’s departure adds to the growing list of high-profile exits, including the recent resignations of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Minister of Strategic Industries, and the Minister of Justice.
Leader for Foreign Ministry since 2020
Kuleba's resignation also follows his controversial remarks made during a public event in Poland, which sparked significant backlash. During the event, Kuleba addressed sensitive historical issues between Ukraine and Poland, which drew criticism from both Polish political figures and the public.
The incident highlighted ongoing tensions between the two countries, particularly concerning their shared history during and after World War II.
Kuleba has been a key figure in Ukraine’s foreign policy since 2003, serving in various capacities within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He was appointed Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in 2016 and later became Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Kuleba had led the Foreign Ministry since March 2020.
As of now, five key ministerial positions remain vacant, raising concerns about the stability of the Ukrainian government. Observers speculate that President Zelensky may seek to fill these positions before his upcoming trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
