Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has dismissed claims by its ambassador to Cyprus, Sergii Nizhynskyi, that he voluntarily resigned. Officials clarified that a formal recall process had been initiated prior to his statements and that the ambassador does not have the legal right to resign from diplomatic service. The ministry criticized Nizhynskyi's tenure, describing it as lacking substantive results and marked by passivity, especially during Cyprus' EU council presidency.

The recall proposal was submitted to President Volodymyr Zelensky by the foreign minister last week, citing insufficient promotion of Ukraine's national interests. Nizhynskyi reportedly submitted a resignation letter citing pressure from the Foreign Minister to carry out decisions he claimed were against Ukrainian law. However, the ministry accused him of leaking information to the media to frame his departure as voluntary.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that ambassador evaluations follow strict internal criteria and legal frameworks, asserting the recall process was transparent and in accordance with established diplomatic procedures.