Former US ambassador to Ukraine explains why she resigned and Trump's role

According to Brink, serving as ambassador to Ukraine was "the toughest job" of her life.

She noted that she respects "the president's right and responsibility to determine US foreign policy" — provided there is proper oversight from Congress.

"It is the role of America's Foreign Service to execute that policy. Unfortunately, the policy since the beginning of the Trump administration has been to put pressure on the victim, Ukraine, rather than on the aggressor, Russia. As such, I could no longer in good faith carry out the administration's policy and felt it was my duty to step down," the former ambassador said.

Brink stated that she could not "stand by while a country is invaded, a democracy bombarded, and children killed with impunity."

"I believe that the only way to secure US interests is to stand up for democracies and to stand against autocrats. Peace at any price is not peace at all ― it is appeasement. And history has taught us time and again that appeasement does not lead to safety, security or prosperity. It leads to more war and suffering," she emphasized.

The former ambassador added that the world has not seen such systematic, large-scale, and horrifying violence in Europe since World War II.

Brink stressed that Russia's war against Ukraine matters to the United States, because "how we handle this war will speak volumes to our friends as well as our foes."

"And if Putin succeeds, it sends signals to China that will undermine the security balance in Asia and throughout the world. That will have profound implications for America's safety, security, and prosperity," she said.

According to Brink, "the America I love, the one our grandparents served, would never stand by and let such horrors happen."

"When America does not lead the free world, what is at risk is our own success as a nation. I may no longer be an American diplomat, but I will never stop believing in the need for American leadership to secure our own future and offer the beacon of hope and possibility for every Michigander, every American and so many others around the world," she concluded.

Brink's resignation

In early April, it was announced that US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink had tendered her resignation. The reasons for her decision were not disclosed at the time.

However, media reports suggested that Brink stepped down due to growing policy differences with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Around the same time, Russian forces struck the city of Kryvyi Rih. A ballistic missile with a cluster warhead exploded in the air near a children's playground. The attack killed nine children, and others were injured.

At the time, US Ambassador Brink reacted to the tragedy on the social platform X but did not mention Russia's responsibility for the attack. She wrote, "This is why the war must end."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "unpleasantly surprised" by Brink's response and called it weak.

The following day, Brink issued another statement on the terrorist attack in Kryvyi Rih, clarifying that Russia was responsible.