After almost eight years as ambassador in Berlin, Andri Melnik returned to Kyiv just over a month ago. It is now clear what will happen to him professionally.
Andri Melnik giving a speech in Berlin
(dpa) The former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andri Melnik, has been appointed his country’s deputy foreign minister. The government made this decision on Friday, Melnik told the German Press Agency (dpa). However, his exact area of responsibility has not yet been determined.
Melnik thanked President Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba and the entire Ukrainian government for their trust. “It is a great honor and an enormous responsibility to serve my home country in this new, very important position after more than 25 years of work in the diplomatic service.” He is looking forward to the new task “hugely”.
The government’s representative in parliament Taras Melnichuk confirmed the cabinet’s decision, according to Ukrainian media. Melnik told the dpa that Kuleba would decide on his exact area of responsibility in the next few days after further talks. His tenure as Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany will always remain deep in his heart. “I would like to thank all the people in Germany who have given their full support to me and my family, but above all to Ukraine in these difficult times. No matter what comes my way in the future, I will remain very closely connected to Germany.”
Melnik was replaced in October after almost eight years as ambassador by the government’s former sanctions officer, Olexi Makeiev. He returned to Kyiv without knowing exactly what new post he will take on at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, Melnik had long been under discussion as deputy foreign minister.
The 47-year-old career diplomat became ambassador to Germany in January 2015 and made a name for himself with an unusually tough stance against the German government for a diplomat. In the period shortly before and after the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, he called for more support for his country on an almost daily basis and was sharply criticized for his undiplomatic manner. Even after his departure, he continued to comment on German politics via Twitter.