Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko, today, Friday, who is a key figure in relations between Kyiv and London, according to a decree published on the Ukrainian presidency's website. The decree did not mention the reasons for the ambassador's dismissal.

Prystaiko was removed from his position as the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and from his position as the permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization at the same time.

Prystaiko has held the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom since July 20, 2020.

It seems that the Ukrainian president is facing some rivalry within his government, as the ambassador had recently criticized his boss Zelensky, expressing regret for the "mockery" directed at British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, who had called on Ukraine to show more gratitude for the military assistance provided by its allies, stating that his country is not an "Amazon store" for weapon supplies. Wallace also announced his resignation from his position in Rishi Sunak's government starting next September.

On another note, Ukrainian media reports revealed that Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko announced his resignation from office after the Ukrainian president demanded his dismissal.

Tkachenko stated that he made his decision due to a wave of misunderstanding about the importance of culture during the conflict, adding, "Private funding and the budget during wartime for culture are no less important than drones, because culture is the shield of our identity and our borders."

Zelensky suggested yesterday, Thursday, to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to replace the culture minister.