President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree conferring the diplomatic rank of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador upon Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. The relevant decision took effect on August 25.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Юлія Маловічко) citing Office of the President of Ukraine, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The presidential document states the decision to grant the parliament speaker this diplomatic status. Under the provisions of the law on diplomatic service, the status of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador is the highest rank in the country.
An official with this rank is authorized to direct the operations of an embassy, coordinate heads of other foreign missions in the host country, and lead official Ukrainian delegations. According to public data from the Chesno movement, Stefanchuk holds a Doctor of Sciences in Law, the academic title of professor, and is a corresponding member of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine.
Head of specialized academy also awarded diplomatic rank
By the same presidential decree, the rank of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the second class was conferred upon Gennadiy Ostash, Director of the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ostash previously served as ambassador to Canada and Lebanon and represented the state at the International Civil Aviation Organization. In addition to his diplomatic career, he served as a member of parliament across several convocations, led the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, worked within the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and served as an external advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Recent reshuffles and developments in diplomatic corps
Among recent changes within the diplomatic corps was the dismissal of Olha Stefanishyna from the post of Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, formalized by presidential decree on August 3. A replacement for the post has not yet been appointed.
Shortly after her dismissal, on August 8, anti-corruption agencies served the former diplomat with suspicion notices concerning abuse of power and illicit enrichment. On August 13, bail of 6 million hryvnias was posted on her behalf.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
