Zelensky Dismisses Ukrainian Ambassador to Britain After Criticism

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystayko, from his position on Friday after the ambassador made public criticisms. Prystayko was asked in an interview with Sky News last week about statements made by the British Defense Minister, who suggested that Kyiv should show more gratitude for the weapons supplied by its allies to fight Russian forces. During the interview, Prystayko stated that there was "a bit of sarcasm" when the president claimed he would wake up every day and call Ben Wallace to thank him. He added, "I don't think that kind of sarcasm is appropriate," and remarked that the Russians "should know that we are working together." Zelensky had commented on the minister's remarks, stating that Ukraine has always been grateful to Britain, its close ally. British media reported him as saying that Wallace could teach him how to express gratitude or how to "get up in the morning and say words expressing gratitude to the minister (Ben Wallace)."