The German government plans to appoint Boris Ruge as the country’s new ambassador to Kyiv. According to reports citing government circles, Ruge is currently serving as the Deputy Secretary-General of NATO for Political Affairs and Security Policy in Brussels. His extensive diplomatic background includes roles as Vice Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, an envoy in Washington, and an ambassador in Riyadh. Ruge will take over from Heiko Thoms, who is slated to move from Kyiv to Madrid after a year in post.
This appointment is part of a larger package of staff changes within the Foreign Office, which is expected to be confirmed by the Cabinet this week. These rotations are scheduled for the summer, emphasizing a policy of mandatory turnover. Government sources indicated that the country is prioritizing filling key positions with highly experienced diplomats, underscoring the importance placed on these strategic posts.
Further staffing adjustments are also taking place within the Foreign Office. Christian Buck, who previously headed the Political Department for Near and Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, will assume the role of Deputy Secretary-General for Operations. In this capacity, he is expected to leverage his deep experience in crisis and conflict zones, having previously served as the liaison for the Near and Middle East, an ambassador in Tripoli, and the head of the Foreign Office’s Crisis Response Center. Personnel changes are also anticipated at the German embassies in Beirut, Budapest, and Buenos Aires.