Controversial Photos Lead to Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Revoking Honorary Consul in Dominican Republic

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has officially declared its decision to revoke the honorary consulship of Victoria Yakimova in the Dominican Republic after conducting a thorough review of her activities. This move follows a series of media reports that have generated considerable public resonance and backlash from the community.

In an exclusive comment to Ukrinform, MFA representatives clarified that honorary consuls, unlike career consuls who are part of the diplomatic service, are not employees of the ministry, do not receive salaries from the state budget, and do not hold political powers. Typically, they are foreign nationals residing in the country where they perform their duties, and their role primarily involves providing voluntary assistance in consular matters, including the protection of the rights of Ukrainian citizens.

When selecting Victoria Yakimova for the position of honorary consul in La Romana, the Ukrainian ambassador to the Republic of Cuba based his decision on criteria outlined in the relevant Order of the MFA of Ukraine. The nomination included information about Yakimova's long-term residence in the Dominican Republic, her possession of Ukrainian and foreign higher education, including a master's degree with honors, language proficiency, and experience in state, auditing, and administrative activities, as well as recommendations regarding her professional qualities and her active role in fostering Ukrainian-Dominican relations.

The MFA emphasized that the vetting process for Yakimova's candidacy, including her public activities and connections with the Russian Federation, was conducted with the involvement of competent Ukrainian authorities, and at that time, there were no objections to her appointment. Positive feedback from the Ukrainian community in the Dominican Republic and her active involvement in the country, which included organizing consular trips, charitable initiatives, and solidarity events with Ukraine, were also considered significant factors.

It is noteworthy that in February 2026, the President of the Dominican Republic granted exequatur for the operation of the Ukrainian honorary consulate in La Romana. However, due to the media publications that triggered a sharp public reaction, the MFA decided to conduct an additional review of all circumstances and ultimately decided to revoke Yakimova's patent. This decision was also influenced by the establishment of a full-fledged Ukrainian embassy in the Dominican Republic.

Furthermore, the ministry announced that a decision has already been made to recall the Ukrainian ambassador to Cuba to the capital and implement corresponding personnel changes within the central apparatus. To enhance the functioning of the honorary consul institution, the minister has instructed that regulatory requirements be strengthened and a review of the activities of all honorary consulates be conducted, the results of which will determine the advisability of their continued operation.

It is important to remember that the office of the Ukrainian honorary consulate in the Dominican Republic was inaugurated on March 21 in La Romana, with Victoria Yakimova at the helm. She gained notoriety due to her provocative photographs on social media. Users also noted images of her posing in a Russian kokoshnik, which added further controversy to her appointment.

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