The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is leaving her post, the State Department announced Thursday, a move that may complicate the already delicate relationship between Washington and Kyiv, which has been strained by President Trump’s efforts to end the war.
The State Department’s chief spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, later confirmed Ms. Brink’s departure at a daily press briefing, saying, “We wish her well.” She declined to discuss the matter further. Ms. Brink could not be immediately reached for comment.
It was not immediately clear whether Ms. Brink resigned voluntarily, was asked to step down by the new Trump administration, or a combination of both. President Trump has shifted America’s Ukraine policy since taking office, including temporarily cutting off military aid to Kyiv and pressuring it to sign a contentious deal to get a major stake in Ukraine’s minerals and energy projects.
The State Department did not say when exactly Ms. Brink would leave her post or who would succeed her. Amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, the position of U.S. Ambassador in Kyiv has been among the most demanding in the foreign service, including involvement in coordinating the military and financial aid that has formed the backbone of Ukraine’s war effort.
As Ms. Brink’s departure was announced on Thursday evening, a Ukrainian delegation was on its way to Washington to negotiate the minerals deal, which Mr. Trump has portrayed as a way to “recoup” past U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Ms. Brink’s departure comes amid heightened tension between Washington and Kyiv — relations have been the most strained since the war began. In a disastrous Oval Office meeting in February, Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine of showing insufficient gratitude for U.S. help, while several White House officials have echoed Kremlin narratives, angering Ukrainian officials.
Posted by John3262005
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> During her twenty-five years in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Brink has spent most of her career advancing U.S. policy in Europe and Eurasia. She was the Director for the Aegean and the South Caucasus at the National Security Council and also served in the State Department as the Deputy Director for Southern European Affairs, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, and Cyprus Desk Officer. She began her career in Belgrade, Serbia.
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> Originally from Michigan, Ambassador Brink joined the State Department in 1996. She holds Master’s degrees in International Relations and Political Theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kenyon College. Ambassador Brink speaks Russian and has studied Georgian, Serbian, and French. She is married with two children.
A highly capable, career diplomat. Her departure will not likely help Ukraine’s cause.
It’s such a joke. Ukrainan interests are American interests as far as this war is concerned, and yet this is what things have come to. What’s the point of having 18 intelligence services if at the end of the day you’re still listening to Russia Today?