Sybiha was appointed Ukraine’s new foreign minister on Thursday by the national parliament, replacing Dmytro Kuleba, who had led the foreign ministry since 2020 but was ousted Wednesday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began the biggest reshuffle of his government since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
While Kuleba was likely replaced because of a clash with Zelenskyy’s powerful head of office, Andriy Yermak, his successor is unlikely to face that issue: Before being promoted to first deputy minister for foreign affairs in April, Sybiha was Yermak’s deputy. This means he’s probably considered as more of a team player by the president.
Forty-nine-year-old Sybiha also has strong diplomatic and foreign policy credentials. He previously served as Ukrainian ambassador to Turkey from 2016 to 2021, and also worked in the Ukrainian embassy in Poland as counselor-envoy from 2008-2012.
“Sybiha is a strong classical diplomat, he knows the system. He was an ambassador before and was working closely with partners since the start of the [Russian] invasion,” said a Ukrainian official close to Zelenskyy, granted anonymity to speak candidly about Sybiha.
Polish diplomats concur, describing Sybiha as “a man who keeps his word,” according to news agency PAP. Sybiha was one of the politicians who made Polish-Ukrainian cooperation possible at the start of the Russian invasion. This resulted in, among other things, weapons deliveries.
Ukrainian parliamentarian Galyna Mykhailiuk said Sybiha is also fluent in English and Polish. “During his work in the above-mentioned institutions, he gained authority and respect from his colleagues,” Mykhailiuk said.
