Just two weeks after her appointment, Victoria Yakimova’s diplomatic role has come to an abrupt end following intense public backlash over her past as a glamour model. According to reports, the controversy quickly escalated online and in political circles, leading to her removal as Ukraine’s honorary consul to the Dominican Republic.
Yakimova has now publicly addressed the fallout, apologising to President Volodymyr Zelensky while firmly defending her past and qualifications.
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Victoria Yakimova’s appointment as Ukraine’s honorary consul to the Dominican Republic lasted only a matter of weeks before it was brought to an end amid growing criticism.
According to reports, the 37-year-old former model was removed from the diplomatic post after explicit images from her past resurfaced online, triggering strong reactions across social media and political circles.
She had been appointed only last month by Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrei Sybiha, making the sudden reversal all the more dramatic, as per a report by The US Sun.
According to reports, the main controversy centered on explicit photographs from Yakimova’s earlier modelling career. Additional criticism focused on an old image showing her wearing a traditional Russian kokoshnik headdress, which became particularly sensitive given the ongoing war.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry reportedly launched an “additional check” into her background following the backlash.
Soon after, her diplomatic credentials were revoked, and officials ordered more thorough vetting procedures for future appointments.
Yakimova admitted the reaction caught her by surprise.
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She said, “It absolutely caught me off guard. If I’m being completely honest, even three or four years ago I had no intention of going anywhere near diplomacy." "I’ve been a public figure here for quite some time — people even call me ‘the most famous Ukrainian in the Dominican Republic’ — so I knew there would be attention."
She has lived in the Dominican Republic since 2014 and is married to a Dominican citizen, as per a report by The US Sun.
Despite the controversy, Yakimova strongly defended her personal and professional history. She said, ““There is absolutely nothing in my past that I am ashamed of."
She went on to highlight her professional qualifications, saying, “I worked in the tax administration in Ukraine, I worked in an auditing firm, I hold two Master’s degrees — one in Ukraine and one here in the Dominican Republic — and I speak four languages."
Regarding her modelling background, she added, “My modelling career? That is a part of my life. The camera loves me – and I love the camera. And everything I have ever done has been entirely legal and professional.”
According to reports, she also stressed that everything she had done was fully legal and professional, as per a report by The US Sun.
Addressing the photo involving the Russian headdress, Yakimova said, “It was taken before the war, as a joke between friends who know my views very well. It was a joke.”
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How did she respond to critics?
Yakimova also issued a direct apology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the controversy. She said, “If, in any way, this situation or the surrounding media attention has caused any concern or discomfort to President Zelensky, I would sincerely apologise.
She continued, “This was never my intention. I did not seek a scandal. My only aim has always been to help and to use my voice to speak truthfully about what is happening in Ukraine.”
According to reports, she pushed back strongly against claims that her appointment was linked to her appearance or past.
She said, “As for some of the more absurd accusations — escorting, prostitution, or that I ‘showed my body to get a position’ — I can only smile." “What people don’t see is that during this time I have also done a great deal of meaningful work – helping people who had been without documents for years finally resolve their situations, raising awareness about Ukraine in the Dominican Republic, building real connections.”
Yakimova also insisted that during the controversy she had continued carrying out meaningful work, including helping people resolve long-standing documentation issues and promoting awareness about Ukraine in the Dominican Republic.
In a final pointed remark, she suggested that any advertising revenue made from using her images should be donated to support Ukraine’s armed forces. According to reports, while the diplomatic role is over, Yakimova remains firm in defending both her record and her intentions throughout the controversy.
Why was Victoria Yakimova removed?
According to reports, backlash over past images led to her dismissal.
Did she apologise to Zelensky?
Yes, she issued a public apology over the media storm.
Yakimova has now publicly addressed the fallout, apologising to President Volodymyr Zelensky while firmly defending her past and qualifications.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Sean Connery: 'Love may not make the world go...'—Inspiring quotes by the legendary actor best known for his portrayal of the iconic original James Bond
Why was she removed so quickly?
Victoria Yakimova’s appointment as Ukraine’s honorary consul to the Dominican Republic lasted only a matter of weeks before it was brought to an end amid growing criticism.
According to reports, the 37-year-old former model was removed from the diplomatic post after explicit images from her past resurfaced online, triggering strong reactions across social media and political circles.
She had been appointed only last month by Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrei Sybiha, making the sudden reversal all the more dramatic, as per a report by The US Sun.
According to reports, the main controversy centered on explicit photographs from Yakimova’s earlier modelling career. Additional criticism focused on an old image showing her wearing a traditional Russian kokoshnik headdress, which became particularly sensitive given the ongoing war.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry reportedly launched an “additional check” into her background following the backlash.
Soon after, her diplomatic credentials were revoked, and officials ordered more thorough vetting procedures for future appointments.
Yakimova admitted the reaction caught her by surprise.
ALSO READ: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding leak? Date and venue revealed as Save-the-Dates go out
She said, “It absolutely caught me off guard. If I’m being completely honest, even three or four years ago I had no intention of going anywhere near diplomacy." "I’ve been a public figure here for quite some time — people even call me ‘the most famous Ukrainian in the Dominican Republic’ — so I knew there would be attention."
She has lived in the Dominican Republic since 2014 and is married to a Dominican citizen, as per a report by The US Sun.
What did she say about her past?
Despite the controversy, Yakimova strongly defended her personal and professional history. She said, ““There is absolutely nothing in my past that I am ashamed of."
She went on to highlight her professional qualifications, saying, “I worked in the tax administration in Ukraine, I worked in an auditing firm, I hold two Master’s degrees — one in Ukraine and one here in the Dominican Republic — and I speak four languages."
Regarding her modelling background, she added, “My modelling career? That is a part of my life. The camera loves me – and I love the camera. And everything I have ever done has been entirely legal and professional.”
According to reports, she also stressed that everything she had done was fully legal and professional, as per a report by The US Sun.
Addressing the photo involving the Russian headdress, Yakimova said, “It was taken before the war, as a joke between friends who know my views very well. It was a joke.”
ALSO READ: Big break ahead in Nancy Guthrie case? Detective says kidnappers may have made critical health error
How did she respond to critics?
Yakimova also issued a direct apology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the controversy. She said, “If, in any way, this situation or the surrounding media attention has caused any concern or discomfort to President Zelensky, I would sincerely apologise.
She continued, “This was never my intention. I did not seek a scandal. My only aim has always been to help and to use my voice to speak truthfully about what is happening in Ukraine.”
According to reports, she pushed back strongly against claims that her appointment was linked to her appearance or past.
She said, “As for some of the more absurd accusations — escorting, prostitution, or that I ‘showed my body to get a position’ — I can only smile." “What people don’t see is that during this time I have also done a great deal of meaningful work – helping people who had been without documents for years finally resolve their situations, raising awareness about Ukraine in the Dominican Republic, building real connections.”
Yakimova also insisted that during the controversy she had continued carrying out meaningful work, including helping people resolve long-standing documentation issues and promoting awareness about Ukraine in the Dominican Republic.
In a final pointed remark, she suggested that any advertising revenue made from using her images should be donated to support Ukraine’s armed forces. According to reports, while the diplomatic role is over, Yakimova remains firm in defending both her record and her intentions throughout the controversy.
FAQs
Why was Victoria Yakimova removed?
According to reports, backlash over past images led to her dismissal.
Did she apologise to Zelensky?
Yes, she issued a public apology over the media storm.
