Ukrainian PM Svyrydenko refused to become ambassador to US – sources

According to Ukrainska Pravda sources within Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko did not, as of 14 July, agree to take up the post of Ukraine's ambassador to the US following her dismissal.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in Zelenskyy's office

Details: One source said: "Yuliia has flatly refused. It's simply – 'get lost'."

Meanwhile, sources close to Svyrydenko say she is still weighing up what to do next after her time in the government.

Quote: "She still has plenty of time. She'll make a decision by September."

Background:

• On 12 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Yuliia Svyrydenko, after which he announced she would step down as head of government and lead "a new and important area of relations with a key partner".
• According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, Serhii Koretskyi, CEO of Naftogaz and Director of Ukrnafta, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov are among the candidates being considered for the post of head of government.
• On 12 July, Zelenskyy already held meetings with Koretskyi, Shmyhal, Fedorov and Terekhov, as well as Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
• MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported that Yuliia Svyrydenko is to become Ukraine's ambassador to the US after she steps down as prime minister. According to media reports, the current ambassador, Olha Stefanishyna, has requested to leave her post for personal reasons.

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