Zelensky aides discussed attractive female ambassador strategy to lure Trump; Svitlana Hrynchuk was the potential candidate, Russian media claims

Russian state-linked media outlets are amplifying alleged leaked conversations claiming that individuals close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed appointing an attractive female official as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States in an effort to appeal personally to US President Donald Trump.

The allegations gained traction after Russian outlet RT shared posts referencing purported “Mindich tapes,” a collection of leaked conversations allegedly linked to Ukrainian businessman Tymur Mindich, who has long been associated with Zelenskyy’s inner circle.

One widely circulated RT claim alleged that former Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk was discussed as a potential ambassadorial candidate because, as one translated quote put it, “the old man will keep meeting with her” since she was “redhead and curly.”



Another viral interpretation suggested that figures close to Zelenskyy even suggested rotating female ambassadors “on even and odd days” to maintain Trump’s attention.
However, the specific claims being circulated on social media remain unverified.

What are the ‘Mindich Tapes’?

The controversy stems from leaked transcripts published by Ukrainian media outlets discussing alleged recordings tied to Tymur Mindich, a businessman reportedly close to Zelenskyy and linked to Ukraine’s entertainment company Studio Kvartal 95. Ukrainian outlets including Ukrainska Pravda and NV reported that the recordings allegedly captured conversations involving political appointments, defense contracts, corruption investigations, and internal government discussions.

Who is Svitlana Hrynchuk?

Svitlana Hrynchuk is a Ukrainian government official and energy policy specialist who previously served as Ukraine’s Minister of Energy.

Before assuming the ministerial role, she served as Deputy Minister of Energy from 2023 to 2024 and earlier as Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources between 2022 and 2023.

Born on November 11, 1985, in the western Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi, Hrynchuk built her academic background in economics and public policy. She graduated in 2008 from the Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics with a degree in Finance. In 2013, she completed her PhD research and earned the title of Candidate of Economic Sciences, a postgraduate academic qualification widely recognized in Eastern European education systems.

Hrynchuk became increasingly visible during Ukraine’s wartime energy crisis, when Russian strikes repeatedly targeted Ukrainian infrastructure. She participated in discussions with European partners regarding energy resilience, reconstruction projects, and electricity imports aimed at stabilizing Ukraine’s power grid during winter shortages.

On November 12, 2025, Hrynchuk resigned amid a corruption investigation connected to Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company Energoatom.

A week later, on November 19, 2025, Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, officially voted to dismiss Hrynchuk from her ministerial post. According to parliamentary records, 315 lawmakers supported her removal.

Current Ukrainian ambassador to the US

Ukraine’s current ambassador to Washington is Olha Stefanishyna, a senior Ukrainian official known for her work on European integration and NATO cooperation.

The viral claims circulating online suggest that figures close to Zelenskyy allegedly discussed alternative candidates for the post, including Hrynchuk. However, there is no public evidence that any such appointment strategy tied to Trump’s personal preferences was ever formally adopted by the Ukrainian government.