Makeiev, Kiev's new envoy to Germany, takes up post

Oleksii Makeiev officially became his country's new ambassador to Germany on Monday, after being appointed to the post last month by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reported dpa.

Makeiev presented his qualifications and a letter of resignation from his predecessor Andriy Melnyk to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official Berlin residence Bellevue Palace in the early afternoon.

Accompanied by his wife Olena Makeieva, he was welcomed with a brief military ceremony in front of the palace.

He then signed the guest book of the president's residence. "It is a great honour for me to be able to represent my Ukraine in Germany."

Makeiev, the former Ukrainian government representative for sanctions on Russia, drove to Berlin last week after Melnyk returned to Ukraine following almost eight years as the ambassador to Germany.

Melnyk became known for taking an unusually tough stance for a diplomat when dealing with the German government.

Like his predecessor, the new Ukrainian ambassador speaks excellent German.

At the time of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Makeiev was appointed as political director at Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, the most important advisor to then foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin.

In 2020, he was named the special envoy for sanctions on Russia.