Bridget Brink, the United States’ Ambassador to Ukraine, has decided to leave her post. According to a statement by the US Department of State, cited by the Financial Times, Ambassador Brink will step down after three years of service in Ukraine, which is considered a long time in a war-torn region.
Brink was appointed as the US Ambassador to Slovakia during Donald Trump’s first term in office. Under President Joe Biden, she took over the leadership of the US Embassy in Ukraine in May 2022. Now, she will step down on her own request.
According to the FT, her departure could be attributed to increasing disagreements between the diplomat and the Trump administration. Several high-ranking officials are said to have put immense pressure on the diplomat, possibly due to her lack of support for the new Ukraine policy.
The FT reminds readers that Trump’s stance on the Ukraine crisis contrasts sharply with the decisions made by former President Biden. The Republican called for a swift resolution of the conflict and the normalization of relations with Russia through direct contacts with Vladimir Putin during his election campaign. Additionally, Trump referred to Ukrainian President Zelensky as a dictator.
Furthermore, the cooperation between the US Ambassador and Ukrainian President Zelensky has reportedly deteriorated in recent times. However, the FT emphasizes that this was not the reason for Brink’s departure. In a post on X following the Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih, which resulted in the deaths of over 50 people, including nine children, Brink wrote:
“I am shocked that a ballistic missile hit near a playground and a restaurant in Kryvyi Rih tonight. More than 50 people were injured and 16 killed, including six children. This is why the war must end.”
President Zelensky expressed frustration that the diplomat did not directly attribute the attack to Russia. In a statement on Telegram, the President criticized the “weak reaction” of the “embassy of such a strong country as the USA.” The Americans allegedly had “fear” of blaming the victims of the attack on Russia.
In two later posts on X, Brink clarified that the attack was carried out by the Russian army.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the Russian forces hit a restaurant where a meeting of Ukrainian military personnel and foreign trainers took place.
Vasili Nebensia, the Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, pointed to the unprofessional actions of the Ukrainian air defense system as the reason for the civilian casualties.