Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK has left his post after he publicly criticised president Volodymyr Zelensky over his “sarcasm” during a row about his demands for weapons.
A diplomatic source confirmed to the PA news agency that Vadym Prystaiko was out of the job on Friday but could not confirm reports he had been sacked by the Ukrainian leader.
It comes following a diplomatic spat earlier this month between the UK and Ukraine, after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that the UK and US were “not Amazon” when it came to Kyiv’s requests for weapons and military equipment.
“Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude,” Mr Wallace said.
“You know, my counsel to the Ukrainians is sometimes you are persuading countries to give up their own stocks.
He later claimed his comments were “somewhat misrepresented”, adding: “I said that Ukraine sometimes needs to realise that in many countries and in some parliaments there is not such strong support as in Great Britain.”
The remarks prompted anger in Kyiv and put pressure on Downing Street amid an otherwise successful Nato summit.
“I don’t believe this sarcasm is healthy,” Mr Prystaiko suggested publicly last month following Mr Zelensky’s remarks.
He had been in post in London since July 2020.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the comments, however, and claimed the UK’s support for Ukraine remains unchanged.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been approached for comment.
