ambassador cyprus — ambassador cyprus — Ukraine’s foreign ministry has disputed the claims made by its ambassador to Cyprus, Sergii Nizhynskyi, regarding a voluntary resignation. The ministry clarified that a formal recall process was already underway, amidst ongoing accusations over the ambassador’s performance and internal procedural disputes.
According to the ministry, Nizhynskyi’s assertions were labelled as “false and misleading.” They stressed that a proposal for his recall had been submitted to President Volodymyr Zelensky prior to his public comments. Furthermore, the ministry contended that Nizhynskyi lacked the legal authority to resign from his diplomatic position, arguing that only category A diplomats, holding ambassadorial rank, are permitted to do so.
The ministry’s statement highlighted a perceived deficiency in Nizhynskyi’s effectiveness during his tenure, particularly during Cyprus’ presidency within the European Union Council. Officials claimed that significant developments in diplomatic relations occurred despite his efforts, rather than as a result of them. They described his time in Cyprus as marked by “inaction, passivity and risks to the reputation of the state.”
Last Wednesday, the foreign minister had submitted a proposal to President Zelensky recommending Nizhynskyi’s recall, citing insufficient promotion of Ukraine’s national interests as a key factor. In contrast, Ukrainian media reported that the ambassador had presented a resignation letter to the president, alleging pressure from Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha to enforce decisions that could potentially conflict with Ukrainian law and endanger state interests.
In response, the foreign ministry dismissed this narrative, asserting that Nizhynskyi had “leaked the information to the media” following the announcement of the recall proposal. They alleged that he sought to portray the situation as a voluntary resignation. The ministry reiterated that evaluations of ambassadors are performed according to established criteria and internal regulations, uniformly applied across all diplomatic missions.
Emphasising the adherence to legal frameworks governing diplomatic service, the foreign ministry affirmed that the process followed internal protocols. As this situation unfolds, the implications for Ukrainian diplomacy and the future of its representation in Cyprus remain to be seen.
