Kuleba, 'Trump's favorite soldier' Palisa among U.S. envoy candidates

Ukraine's Presidential Office is evaluating multiple candidates for the role of U.S. ambassador, sourced from the military, diplomacy, and politics. Two notable names are former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Deputy Head Pavlo Palisa, according to RBC-Ukraine on August 26.

U.S. President Donald Trump has praised Palisa as one of his "favorite soldiers" in Ukraine, reported RBC-Ukraine. Palisa presently manages defense issues within the Presidential Office. His significant contribution to this position is considered crucial, and he continues to have a strong connection to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Should a current official like Zelenskyy's Office member be sent to Washington, it would necessitate substantial changes to the diplomatic approach, cited by RBC-Ukraine. Zelenskyy mentioned having a candidate in mind for the ambassador position, emphasizing the need for a well-versed individual who can adeptly navigate various topics. This person should be visible on television, engage with senators, think tanks, and influence policy by discussing the issues affecting Ukraine.

On August 3, RBC-Ukraine cited a source indicating that Palisa was considered for the ambassador post. Political scientist Maksym Nesvitaylov told Radio NV that Trump favors Palisa. In July 2026, it was reported that Ukraine's former ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, requested to terminate her diplomatic career due to personal reasons. On July 12, MP Oleksii Honcharenko suggested Stefanishyna might face charges from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).

Later, on August 5, it emerged that NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office had accused Stefanishyna of amassing assets through others who acted under her direction, failing to disclose several properties, cash transactions, and other expenses. On August 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered her pre-trial restriction at a bond of 6 million hryvnias ($134,527).

In July, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak and media outlets suggested Yulia Svyrydenko, recently dismissed as prime minister, could replace Stefanishyna as the U.S. ambassador. On July 21, LIGA.net cited Presidential Office sources, naming Rustem Umerov as one of the leading candidates for the ambassador position. On August 3, President Zelenskyy appointed Umerov, previously serving as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service.