The German federal government is planning a large-scale rotation of ambassadors in seven key countries, including Ukraine. The current ambassador in Kyiv, Heiko Thoms, will be transferred to Madrid, while his successor in Ukraine has not yet been determined.
This was reported by Der Spiegel.
According to the publication, the government is reassigning ambassadors in Tel Aviv, Moscow, Mexico City, Madrid, Beijing, New Delhi, and Brasília. Government sources say the coalition approved the latest rotation at the proposal of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU).
The cabinet is expected to make the personnel decisions on Wednesday.
Der Spiegel reports that Heiko Thoms, who only recently became ambassador in Kyiv, is already being reassigned to Spain.
“His successor in Ukraine has not yet been agreed upon. The matter is not on the cabinet’s agenda,” the report says.
In response to an inquiry from Der Spiegel, Germany’s Foreign Ministry noted that the annual rotation of ambassadors is standard practice. After government approval, Germany requests agrément (formal consent) from the host country, after which the federal president issues the letters of credence.
