Ukrainian envoy Polishchuk to arrive in Delhi on August 8; set to take charge soon

About a month before India is set to host the G-20 leaders summit, the Ukraine Embassy here will have its new Ambassador.

About a month before India is set to host the G-20 leaders summit, the Ukraine Embassy here will have its new Ambassador, a post which has been vacant for over a year. Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine Major General Oleksandr Polishchuk (retd), the new envoy, is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on August 8 and is expected to take charge immediately, said diplomatic sources.

Earlier this week in Kyiv, India handed over two batches of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. On Thursday, Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Harsh Jain handed over the 14th consignment of humanitarian aid, comprising essential medicines to Ihor Kuzin, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Health, who thanked the Government of India for the assistance, the Indian Embassy said on social media.

Mr. Jain also handed over humanitarian aid comprising sleeping bags, blankets and tents to Shyroke Village Council and Zaporizhzhia Geriatric Boarding House in presence of Yuriy Malashko, head of the Zaporizhzhia state administration.

The further development of Ukraine-India relationship in all spheres of common interest, seeking participation in G-20 events during India’s presidency, New Delhi’s role in the implementation of a peace formula and financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine would be key areas for the envoy, a diplomatic source said.

Maj. Gen. Polishchuk retired from active service in 2010 and has since held senior civil service positions in the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Office of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine. There are currently eight Deputy Defence Ministers in Ukraine.

In July 2022, then Ukrainian Ambassador in India Igor Polikha, among the most senior European diplomats with extensive knowledge of India, was relieved of his post by Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “After seven years of appointment to India as the ambassador of any country, it is normal for an ambassador to return home. I am a career diplomat. I will return whenever the official process is completed,” Mr. Polikha had told The Hindu then.

Ukraine has been requesting India for more humanitarian aid, including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and energy equipment to repair power infrastructure damaged during the war. Both sides have been holding discussions on these aspects.