'Send me back to the front': Ukrainian military officer turns down US ambassador post
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 28 that senior military officer Pavlo Palisa had declined an offer to become Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, asking instead to return to his combat brigade.
"We discussed Yulia Svyrydenko, Dmytro Kuleba and Pavlo Palisa," Zelenskyy told journalists, naming three candidates considered for the diplomatic post, which has been vacant since August.
Palisa, currently deputy head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, was considered a strong candidate because of his American education, English-language skills and experience in military affairs, Zelenskyy said.
"Trump knows him. Palisa would be a good ambassador, but he doesn't want to," the president said.
According to Zelenskyy, Palisa responded: "Send me back to the front, return me to my brigade immediately. I'm not leaving Ukraine."
Zelenskyy said consultations on the appointment would continue.
Other candidates discussed included former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Ukraine has been without an ambassador to Washington since early August, when Zelenskyy dismissed Olha Stefanishyna.
Her dismissal was followed by legal proceedings in an illicit enrichment case, in which a court imposed a preventive measure and set bail at 6 million hryvnias (approximately $145,000).
The continued vacancy comes at a time when Ukraine's relationship with Washington remains crucial to its military assistance and diplomatic efforts.
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