Ukraine’s ambassador to London Vadym Prystaiko has been fired after he leveled public criticism against President Volodymyr Zelensky over comments he made about UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace’s request that Zelensky show a bit more gratitude for the vast amount of aid the West has provided to Kyiv for its war against Russia.
Days ago, during a television segment on Sky News, Prystaiko criticized Zelensky’s “unhealthy sarcasm” toward the UK Defense Secretary, who during last week’s NATO summit recommended Kyiv stop treating its Western allies like “Amazon” delivery service and display more appreciation for arms supplied by Britain, the U.S., and others, Kronen Zeitung reports.
“Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude for the West’s military contributions to Ukraine’s war effort,” Wallace said after Zelensky had criticized NATO for delaying Ukraine’s accession into the military alliance.
“I said to the Ukrainians last June when I drove 11 hours to be given a list—I’m not Amazon,” the defense secretary added.
Responding to Wallace’s statement, Zelensky, during a press conference said: “How else can we show our gratitude? We can personally thank the minister every morning after waking up. Let him write to me and tell me how to thank him.”
Prystaiko, when asked by the Sky News reporter whether there was a “hint of sarcasm” in the Ukrainian president’s response, answered that he did believe Zelensky’s comments were sarcastic, and added: “I don’t believe this sarcasm is healthy.”
“I don’t think we need to show the Russians there is something between us. They have to know we are working together. If something happens, Ben can call me and tell me anything he wants to,” he said.
Later on in the segment, Prystaiko reminded the reporter that the UK had implored the US to send troops during WWII for quite some time before they actually did. He added: “We are not expecting anyone to fight for us—we are only asking for equipment.”
On Friday, July 21st, Prystaiko was removed from his positions as Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and as Ukraine’s envoy to the International Maritime Organisation without explanation. The decision, however, did come by a presidential order handed down by Zelensky.
It is exceedingly uncommon for a diplomat to level public criticism against their national leaders, but judging by his remarks, it’s clear Prystaiko believed that Ukraine’s relationship with one of its closest partners in the West had been harmed by Zelensky’s statements—and therefore needed to be set right.
