Ukraine's Zelenskiy names Olha Stefanishyna new US ambassador

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a decree on Wednesday appointing Olha Stefanishyna, a former top cabinet minister, as Ukraine's ambassador to the United States.

Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said he had signed a decree on the appointment of Stefanishyna, 39, after formalities had been completed.

"I outlined the key tasks for reinvigorating the work of our embassy," he said.

She takes over as ambassador from Oksana Markarova, who held the position for six years, including more than three years of full-scale war with Russia.

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Zelenskiy singled out two agreements as critical -- on providing weapons for Ukraine and on supplying drones to the United States.

"The main thing is to fully implement all the agreements reached in Washington – our agreements with President (Donald) Trump, above all in the defence sphere...Much of Ukraine’s long-term security depends on relations with America."

Stefanishyna had served in Zelenskiy's administration as a deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, playing a major role in the country's integration into Western institutions, and as minister of justice.