/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/KLWBKHVH5VMVHASKJV3FMBULZY.jpg "Zelenskiy sacked Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK after criticism")
[1/2]Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko arrives for a radio interview on April 8, 2022 in Westminster, London, Britain. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
KYIV, July 21 (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday sacked Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain, Vadim Prystaiko.
The presidential order also said Prystaiko was fired as Ukraine’s representative to the International Maritime Organization, but did not give a reason for the dismissal.
In an interview with Sky News last week, Prystaiko was asked about British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace’s comments that Kyiv should show more gratitude for arms supplies from its allies to fight Russia’s invading forces.
Zelensky said Ukraine was always grateful to Britain, a staunch ally. He was also quoted by British media as saying that Wallace could let him know how to express his gratitude or “how we can get up in the morning and express our thanks to the minister”.
Asked if Zelenskiy was being sarcastic, Prystaiko told Sky there was “a little bit of sarcasm”, adding that the president “wakes up every morning and calls Ben Wallace and says thank you”.
“I don’t believe this sarcasm is healthy,” he said, adding that the Russians “need to know that we are working together.”
Zelensky’s order did not say who would replace Pristaiko, 53, a veteran diplomat and former deputy prime minister who served as ambassador to Britain for three years.
Reporting by Anna Bruchnicka and the Kyiv newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
