Zelensky appoints former integration minister Kachka as Ukraine’s EU ambassador

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s former deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as the country’s new ambassador to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, according to an official decree published on October 9.

Kachka served as deputy prime minister from July 17, 2025, to July 14, 2026. His move to Brussels was announced in a July government reshuffle, where Zelensky said Kachka would swap roles with Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine’s then-EU ambassador. During his tenure, Ukraine opened its first two EU accession negotiation clusters covering key reforms such as rule of law and external relations.

In December 2025, Kachka and EU enlargement chief Marta Kos co-signed a letter identifying 10 critical rule-of-law reforms Ukraine must complete by the end of 2026. He also played a role in negotiating reforms tied to the EU’s 90-billion-euro financial support package finalized in April 2026.

Known from the source

• President Zelensky appointed Taras Kachka as Ukraine’s EU ambassador on October 9, 2026.
• Kachka was Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European integration from July 2025 to July 2026.
• Kachka’s tenure saw Ukraine open its first two EU accession negotiation clusters related to rule of law and external relations.
• In December 2025, Kachka and an EU official identified ten crucial rule-of-law reforms for Ukraine.
• Kachka helped negotiate reforms linked to a 90-billion-euro EU loan package finalized in April 2026.

What remains unclear

At a Brussels conference on September 2, Kachka stressed Ukraine’s commitment to reforms despite the ongoing war, emphasizing that trust on rule of law and anti-corruption is essential for mutual support in deterring Russia. His appointment comes amid parliamentary delays in Kyiv delaying EU-backed legislation, which endangers loan tranches worth 2.1 billion and 3.7 billion euros.

What remains unclear: Confirm Kachka’s formal credentials and start date as EU ambassador. Verify current status of the parliamentary reforms linked to EU loan installments. Check for any additional comments or statements from Zelensky or Ukrainian government on this appointment since October 9. Ensure proper attribution to the Kyiv Independent and exact decree date.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.