Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired his country’s ambassador to the U.K. following comments the ambassador made accusing Zelensky of “unhealthy sarcasm” toward British government minister.

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko made the remarks in response to Zelensky’s comments about U.K. defense secretary Ben Wallace. The politician had appeared to say that Ukraine should be more grateful for the aid it has received as it continues to fight a Russian invasion.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as he attends a meeting with Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (not pictured) at Horodetskyi House, on July 19 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Zelensky has fired Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.K.
Clodagh Kilcoyne – Pool/Getty Images

The dismissal was confirmed on the Ukrainian president’s website on Friday morning. It follows a report in U.K. newspaper The Independent that there had been “very strong” telephone conversations between the ambassador and the government in Kyiv.

The U.K. has been a key supporter of Ukraine, along with the U.S. and other members of the NATO military alliance, while Prystaiko has been an important point of contact between the countries’ governments.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.