According to unnamed sources cited by FT, Zelenskyy discussed replacing Markarova during his July 4 phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The report notes Markarova has been criticized by many of Trump’s allies in Congress for being “too close” to Democrats. Removing her could be a step by Zelenskyy to signal rapprochement with the U.S. president during a challenging period for Ukraine: Washington suspended critical military aid shipments last week.
A senior Ukrainian official said Zelenskyy wants to appoint an ambassador who would be a “good dealmaker” and acceptable to both the White House and Congress.
Three Ukrainian officials said the president is set to reshuffle the Cabinet as well. Among the possible candidates to replace Markarova are current PM Denys Shmyhal, Deputy PM European Integration Olha Stefanishyna, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, Culture Minister Mykola Tochitsky, and Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of the President’s Office.
Should Shmyhal be posted to Washington as the new ambassador, Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is expected to become PM.
Markarova has served as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States since February 2021. She was Ukraine’s Finance Minister in 2018-2020.