Olga Stefanishyna may step down as ambassador to the US ahead of possible charges by the NABU
MP Oleksiy Honcharenko and journalist Yuriy Nikolov reported on the possible investigation by the NABU.
According to a source at Interfax-Ukraine, Olga Stefanishyna requested to be relieved of her diplomatic duties last week. Personal circumstances were cited as the reason.
The agency’s source also stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is satisfied with Stefanishyna’s work as Ukraine’s ambassador to the US. At the time of publication, there had been no official decree regarding her dismissal.
What is being reported about possible charges by the NABU
MP Oleksiy Honcharenko stated that Olga Stefanishyna could face charges from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. According to him, the ambassador arrived in Kyiv a few days ago and was present at a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Michael McCaul on 10 July.
Investigative journalist Yuriy Nikolov also wrote that, according to his sources, charges may be being prepared against Stefanishyna. He said the potential case could relate to the legality of her income, specifically an apartment or a car.
Officially, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have not yet reported on any new charges against Stefanishyna. Therefore, this is information from political sources and journalists, rather than a confirmed legal decision.
What the questions regarding her income might relate to
In July 2025, Suspilne published a report on property used by Stefanishyna but not declared in her asset declaration. The report concerned a property that was not registered in the official’s name, as well as questions regarding the family’s financial capacity to purchase such a property.
This is why the latest reports of possible suspicions regarding her income may relate to property or expenditure; however, the exact subject of any potential case has not been officially confirmed.
Who could replace Stefanyishyna in the US
MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has stated that Yulia Svyrydenko could become Ukraine’s new ambassador to the US. According to him, Svyrydenko remains part of the team but may move into diplomatic work in Washington.
On 12 July, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced forthcoming changes to the government and stated that he had offered Svyrydenko another post. No official decision has yet been made regarding her appointment as ambassador to the US.
When Stefanyishyna became ambassador to the US
Olga Stefanishyna was appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to the US on 27 August 2025. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Minister of Justice, was a member of the National Security and Defence Council, and headed the Commission for the Coordination of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic Integration.
The post of Ambassador to the US is one of the key positions in the Ukrainian diplomatic service. Washington remains Ukraine’s main partner on issues of military aid, sanctions against Russia and long-term security agreements.
What is known about Stefanishyna’s previous case
Olga Stefanishyna is already implicated in another anti-corruption case — the so-called Lukash case. According to Transparency International Ukraine’s VAKS case tracker, NABU accuses her of complicity in the misappropriation of over 2.5 million hryvnias of public funds in 2013–2014.
This relates to the procurement of services by the Ministry of Justice to align Ukrainian legislation with EU law. Stefanishyna has previously denied any wrongdoing in this case.
Reports of Stefanyishyna’s possible resignation as ambassador to the US coincided with insider information about a probable new charge by NABU. If both lines of reporting are confirmed, this would represent a politically sensitive personnel decision for Ukrainian diplomacy in Washington.
So far, only reports from sources regarding Stefanyishyna’s wish to end her diplomatic service have been officially confirmed. Information regarding the possible NABU investigation remains unconfirmed by the anti-corruption authorities.
A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
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