On August 27, 2025, Olga Stefanyshyna was officially appointed as Ukraine's ambassador to the United States. Photo by Artem Galkin for Forbes Ukraine
Donald Trump has imposed the first sanctions against Russia, and Ukraine is preparing an energy partnership with the US. How is a strategic alliance with America being built in the new political era of the United States? Interview with Olga Stefanishyna
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After returning to power, Donald Trump clearly defined his goal as ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Since then, his administration has come a long way: from a feud with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House to a mineral deal with Ukraine and sanctions against Russian oil giants.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has changed its ambassador to the United States. After four years in office, Oksana Markarova was replaced this September by Olga Stefanishyna, former Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and former Minister of Justice.
How is Ukraine building a strategic alliance with the US in the Trump era? But what could change America's position in negotiations with Russia from a mediator to an ally? Forbes Ukraine project manager Volodymyr Fedorin talked about this with Stefanishyna in her first public interview as ambassador to the US during the Forbes “Business Energy” conference.
The conversation has been shortened and edited for clarity.
Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Olga Stefanishyna and Forbes Ukraine Project Manager Volodymyr Fedorin during an interview at the Business Energy conference from Forbes Ukraine on October 24, 2025. Photo Photo Forbes Ukraine
