Ukrainian MFA proposes to dismiss ambassador to Belarus Mykhaylo Yezhel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine proposes to relieve Ukraine's Ambassador to Belarus Mykhaylo Yezhel of his duties.

A correspondent of UNIAN reports that Ihor Huz, a member of the People's Front and deputy head of the Rada's Committee on Foreign Affairs, said he proposed president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko to dismiss Yezhel as Ukraine's ambassador to Belarus.

“Yezhel was minister of defence during the rule of Yanukovych. He destroyed the logistic system of the Ukrainian army and did his best to preserve the killer's regime,” the MP said, addressing representatives of the MFA who attended the parliamentary meeting.

Huz added that for more than a year Yezhel represented Ukraine's interests in the country that was “the key player in the geopolitical struggle against the Putin regime”.

“I urge the foreign minister to immediately raise the question of relieving Mr Yezhel of his duties and find a patriot who will protect Ukraine's interest in Belarus,” Huz noted.

First deputy foreign minister Natalia Halibarenko answered that decisions on appointing and dismissing ambassadors were made by the president.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed to relieve current ambassador Yezhel of his duties,” she said, adding that a new ambassador should be a patriot and professional to represent the interests of Ukraine in Belarus in the best way possible.

She promised to speed up the consideration of the issue.

Yezhel was appointed ambassador to Belarus in April 2013 by former president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.

Ezhel had been defence minister for two years and commander-in-chief of the Naval Forces of Ukraine.