"Zelensky has dismissed the ambassador to Germany, Alexey Makeev. Makeev represented Kyiv since October 2022. His successor will be the current ambassador of Ukraine to Israel, Yevgeny Korniychuk," the statement reads.
Previously, Ukrainian media, particularly NV, reported on the likelihood of replacing Makeev with Korniychuk.
The German publication notes that "the official reason for Makeev's replacement is regular rotation of diplomats," but also reminds that Makeev's activities were "systematically and publicly" criticized by his predecessor in the ambassador role, now Ukraine's permanent representative to the UN, Andrey Melnik, who led the embassy in Berlin for seven years.
"Bild in Russian" recalls that in an interview with Tagesspiegel (published on May 9, 2023), Melnik stated that Makeev should "get off his backside" to persuade Germany to provide Ukraine with more assistance and to achieve results regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. Allegedly, Makeev also criticized Melnik in private discussions.
"According to Bild, Makeev will remain in Berlin until February. During his tenure as ambassador, Germany supplied Ukraine with 121 battle tanks and 140 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as a variety of other weapons," the publication states.
On the website of the President of Ukraine, there is no published decree regarding Makeev's dismissal.