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A
presidential order, which said Prystaiko had also been removed
as Ukraine's representative to the International Maritime
Organization, gave no reason for the dismissal.
In an interview with Sky News last week, Prystaiko was asked
about remarks by outgoing British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace
suggesting Kyiv should show more gratitude for weapons
deliveries from its allies to fight Russia's occupying forces.
Zelenskiy responded by saying Ukraine was always grateful to
Britain, a staunch ally. He was also quoted by British media as
saying Wallace could let him know how to express his gratitude
or how "we could get up in the morning and express our words of
gratitude to the minister."
Asked whether Zelenskiy was being sarcastic, Prystaiko told Sky
there was "a little bit of sarcasm" when the president "said
that each and every morning he will wake up and call Ben Wallace
to thank him."
"I don't believe that this sarcasm is healthy," he said, adding
that the Russians "have to know that we're working together."
Zelenskiy's order did not say who would replace Prystaiko, 53,
an experienced diplomat and former vice prime minister who had
held the post as ambassador to Britain for three years.
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom, Editing by
Timothy Heritage)
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