The US Embassy in Ukraine has a new head: who is Paul Houston?

The American diplomatic mission in Kyiv was headed by the new Chargé d’Affaires ai Paul Houston. The diplomat has already arrived in the capital and started his duties.

The US Embassy in Ukraine reported on the start of work of the new head of the diplomatic mission.

Houston starts work in Kyiv

Paul Houston officially took up his duties as Chargé d’Ai to Ukraine on August 23.

One of the first events with his participation was the National Prayer Breakfast of Ukraine, which took place on the eve of the 35th anniversary of Independence.

During the event, the American diplomat emphasized the importance of religious freedom, calling it one of the fundamental freedoms of the United States and an important component of achieving peace.

Houston also stated that during his work in Ukraine he intends to contribute to the strengthening of freedom and peace.

Who is Paul Houston?

Paul Houston is a career American diplomat, a representative of the senior US diplomatic service with the rank of ambassador-counselor.

Before his appointment to Ukraine, he headed the United States diplomatic mission in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

A significant part of his career is related to security issues. Houston worked in senior positions in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the US Department of State, where he was responsible for areas related to intelligence, investigations, crisis management and global security.

The diplomat also has experience working in US missions in Germany, Jordan, Haiti and Serbia, as well as at the UN in Geneva.

Houston received an education in political science and international business, as well as a master’s degree in national security and international economics. He is fluent in German and Arabic and has a number of state awards for diplomatic service.

Ukraine prepares to appoint new ambassador to the US

Changes in the leadership of the American diplomatic mission are taking place against the backdrop of expectations for the appointment of a new Ukrainian ambassador to the United States.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously announced that a candidate for this position already exists, but her name is not yet disclosed.

According to the president, the future ambassador should be an experienced and strong communicator, able to actively work not only with American politicians and senators, but also with think tanks and the media.

One of the key tasks of Ukrainian diplomacy in Washington remains to keep Ukraine in the focus of the American political and public agenda.