Ukraine appoints new Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications

Mykola Tochytskyi, a diplomat and Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has been appointed Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications. While Tochytskyi’s international experience is extensive, his background fails to demonstrate a deep understanding of culture. 

The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy recommended and confirmed his appointment, with 252 votes in favor, 17 abstentions, and no opposition. Tochytsky’s appointment was announced on Sept. 5, at 16:11 Kyiv time.

David Arakhamia, fraction leader of Zelensky’s party “Sluha narodu” (“Servant of the People”), commented on Mykola Tochytskyi’s candidacy, saying, “At this stage, we need to strengthen the fight against disinformation, and for this task, we need a candidate with international experience.” 

Tochytskyi is a diplomat and has served as the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine since 2024. His extensive international experience includes representing Ukraine as the Ambassador to Belgium, where he served as Representative to the EU and took part in the European Atomic Energy Community from 2016 to April 2021. He served as Ambassador to Luxembourg from 2017 to April 2021. Previously, he was Ukraine’s Representative to the Council of Europe from 2010 to 2016. 

Tochytskyi was appointed Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine by Andriy Yermak in April 2024. According to Ukrainska Pravda, Tochytskyi and Yermak were classmates at the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. 

Tochytskyi served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine under Minister Dmytro Kuleba from 2021 to 2024. He was Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe from 2010 to 2016. In 2009, he was awarded the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. 

Tochytskyi’s previous roles include First Deputy Head and Head of the Main Service for International Cooperation of the Secretariat of the President of Ukraine from 2008 to 2010, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco from 2005 to 2008, and head of the Consular Service Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2005. 

As reported earlier, Yuliya Fediv, the former head of the Ukrainian Culture Foundation, who enjoyed strong support within the Ukrainian cultural community, was also considered for the position.

Copy editing: Terra Friedman King