Ukraine Has a New Ambassador to the European Union

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Taras Kachka as Ukraine's new ambassador to the European Union. He replaces Vsevolod Chentsov, who will instead become deputy prime minister for European integration, Politico reported.

The personnel change is part of a broader reorganization of the government during the war. Kachka has previously led Ukraine's European integration agenda and played a key role in negotiations on the country's EU accession.

Just last week, he attended the opening of another negotiation cluster in Brussels, although Kyiv has so far opened only two of the six chapters. The process is being slowed by Hungary's reservations, as it demands a resolution to issues concerning the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.

Kachka acknowledged his disappointment with the slow pace of EU enlargement but emphasized the ongoing dialogue with Budapest.

Zelensky expressed his conviction that the new ambassador will help accelerate the accession negotiations and will also serve as Ukraine's trade representative to the EU.

(mja)