Sacked ambassador thanks UK for assist throughout Ukraine’s ‘darkest hour’
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kraine’s sacked ambassador to the UK has thanked Britain for serving to Kyiv to “persevere in the darkest hour”.
Vadym Prystaiko was fired as Ukraine’s consultant in London after he appeared to publicly criticise President Volodymyr Zelensky over his “sarcasm” throughout a row about his calls for for weapons.
In a departing message, Mr Prystaiko appeared to make mild of Defence Secretary Ben Wallace’s feedback about a few of Ukraine’s Western allies desirous to see “gratitude” for the billions of kilos they had been giving in army support.
The diplomat mentioned he would “never tire” of repeating his because of the UK for its assist for Ukraine throughout Russia’s invasion of his homeland.
You helped us to persevere within the darkest hour
Mr Prystaiko turned a distinguished determine in London amid the UK’s response to the battle, typically showing on TV and radio to stipulate the most recent views in Kyiv whereas additionally attending varied official occasions in Downing Street and elsewhere linked to Ukraine’s battle effort.
Only final week, he was noticed within the royal field on the Wimbledon tennis championships to look at Ukrainian participant Elina Svitolina within the ladies’s singles semi-finals.
Confirming his “release” as ambassador, Mr Prystaiko mentioned in an announcement: “I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and solidarity demonstrated by the UK.
“I will never tire (of) repeating this again and again. Thank you! Together, we stood shoulder to shoulder, united in the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty and our shared values.
“The UK has been a leader in the coalition of Ukraine’s allies and partners. All of you, His Majesty’s Government, armed forces, all kind people.
“You helped us to persevere in the darkest hour.”
He mentioned his “special gratitude” went to these Britons who had “opened up their houses and hearts to Ukrainian families fleeing from the horrors of war” as a part of the Homes for Ukraine refugee scheme established by ministers.
“We are in deep debt to you. I know how closely Ukrainians are taking this to their hearts. Thank you!” he mentioned in an announcement posted on the Ukrainian embassy’s web site.
Mr Prystaiko mentioned he was “blessed” to have travelled across the UK and thanked the nation for “being a part of this defining chapter in my and my nation’s life”.
A presidential order, signed by Mr Zelensky and revealed on-line on Friday, confirmed the dismissal of the Ukrainian diplomat from his posting in London.
The order didn’t say why Mr Prystaiko, within the job since July 2020, had been sacked.
The Defence Secretary, in feedback made throughout the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, earlier this month, mentioned that the UK and US had been “not Amazon” when it got here to Kyiv’s requests for weapons and army gear as he warned Ukraine it wanted to maintain doubters, particularly these in Washington, on board.
Mr Zelensky responded by saying he thought the UK and Ukraine had “wonderful” relations and appeared to joke about how Kyiv might additional present its gratitude to Mr Wallace.
The battle chief informed a Nato press convention: “How else should we thank him? Well, let him write to me and tell me how I need to thank people so that we can be fully grateful.
“We can also wake up in the morning and thank the minister personally.”
Mr Prystaiko appeared to publicly criticise Mr Zelensky’s alternative of phrases.
Appearing on Sky News earlier this month, he mentioned: “President Zelensky’s term, when he said each and every morning he’ll wake up and call Ben Wallace to thank him, I don’t believe this sarcasm is healthy.
“We don’t have to show the Russians that we have something between us. They have to know we are working together.”
Before taking over the diplomatic function in London, Mr Prystaiko was Ukraine’s vice-prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration and can also be a former overseas minister.
From London, Mr Prystaiko was in a key place to safe ongoing British backing for Kyiv, assembly with ministers, opposition get together leaders and different influential figures because the battle drags on.
The UK Government, regardless of the political turmoil of the final 12 months, has remained probably the most vocal advocates and allies of Kyiv – making the London posting an important diplomatic job.
The remarks by Mr Wallace induced a headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who distanced himself from the feedback.
The Defence Secretary, who lately introduced plans to resign on the subsequent Cabinet reshuffle and stand down as an MP on the subsequent election, has additionally claimed his remarks had been “misrepresented”.
He mentioned that he had been speaking about how “Ukraine sometimes needs to realise that in many countries and in some parliaments there is not such strong support as in Great Britain”.