US Ambassador to Ukraine to Step Down

The US State Department confirmed on Thursday that American Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink will leave her post. 

Her departure comes at a time when President Donald Trump is working to improve relations with Russia in an effort to end the war in Ukraine.

Brink, appointed by former President Joe Biden, arrived in Kyiv in May 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It is common for ambassadors to step down after serving for several years, especially in conflict zones where they do not bring their families. However, Brink’s exit happens as Trump makes major changes to US policy on Ukraine compared to the previous administration.

State Department spokesperson Tammi Bruce stated that Brink served in Ukraine for three years during the war and described her performance as outstanding. Bruce also emphasized that the US remains focused on ending the conflict.

Trump, who promised during his election campaign to resolve the Ukraine war quickly, has moved to reestablish ties with Moscow since returning to the White House in January. His administration is seeking a way to stop the ongoing war, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.

Breaking the diplomatic isolation imposed on Russian President Vladimir Putin by Western countries after the 2022 invasion, Trump’s team has held separate talks with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia. However, these efforts have not yet led to a complete ceasefire.

Following pressure from the US, Ukraine agreed on March 11 to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

Putin later rejected this proposal during a phone call with Trump, agreeing only to avoid targeting energy infrastructure and to reduce hostilities in the Black Sea. Since then, both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of attacking energy facilities.