US Ambassador to Ukraine leaves her post: FT reveals reasons behind her decision
Photo: US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink (Getty Images)
The US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is resigning. Journalists have learned what is behind this decision and what the possible reasons are, FT reports.
According to the media resource, Brink is leaving the post of ambassador due to growing policy differences with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
"Her dismissal is also related to the worsening of her working relationship with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, although this was not the reason for her resignation," the journalists note after speaking with sources close to Brink’s decision.
As FT writes, Brink "faced increasing pressure from senior officials in the Trump administration, who questioned her willingness to support their strategy on Ukraine."
Tensions in relationship between Zelenskyy and Brink
As journalists admit, there has been tension recently between Brink and Zelenskyy. The reason is that responding to the shelling of Kryvyi Rih, which killed 20 people, including 9 children, on April 4, Brink did not mention Russia as the culprit of the tragedy.
The President of Ukraine reacted to her statement. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "unpleasantly surprised" by such a weak response from the US Embassy.
After that, Brink again responded to the tragedy in Kryvyi Rih, which occurred after a missile attack. But this time she pointed directly to the Russian strike.
What diplomats say about Brink
Brink is a diplomat who was appointed by Trump during his first term as US Ambassador to Slovakia. Later, President Joe Biden appointed her as ambassador to Ukraine.
Western diplomats in Kyiv stated that Brink was "the most important defender of Kyiv both publicly and privately from the first weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022."
One of them called her "a strong character" and "a serious diplomat," but said "pressure from the Trump and Zelenskyy camps took its toll."
Ukrainian officials stated that they considered Brink to be "too critical of them, especially regarding the country's efforts to eradicate entrenched corruption."
Brink's stance on Russia's war against Ukraine after Trump became US President
Officials noted that her statements have recently changed noticeably. In their opinion, they align more with Trump's views and increasingly criticize Ukraine.
An FT review of Brink's posts on X before and after Trump's inauguration on January 20 showed clear changes in her public statements, especially regarding Russia.
"In the 75 days before Trump's inauguration, she spoke critically about Russia and the war against Ukraine 53 times. In the 75 days after that, she posted messages mentioning Russia only five times, none of which blamed it for attacks on the country," the journalists state.
Brink's resignation
The fact that Bridget Brink intended to leave her post as US Ambassador to Ukraine was first reported by CBS News. Journalists said Brink plans to leave office early, and one of the reasons is personal in nature.
Later, the State Department confirmed Brink's resignation as US Ambassador to Ukraine. In a comment to CNN, a State Department spokesperson explained Brink’s resignation by her prolonged stay in a combat zone.
