U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink Steps Down After Three Years of Service

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is stepping down from her post after nearly three years of service, the State Department confirmed on Thursday. Brink, a veteran career diplomat nominated by President Joe Biden, has served in Kyiv since May 2022, navigating the complex and volatile landscape of the ongoing war with Russia. Her departure marks a significant change in Washington’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine at a crucial time in the conflict.

According to officials familiar with the matter, Brink is leaving the foreign service of her own accord and will likely step down in the coming weeks. While no successor has been officially named, Chris Smith, the deputy assistant secretary for Eastern Europe, is reportedly being considered. Brink’s tenure included overseeing operations during the war and managing diplomatic efforts under two U.S. administrations with differing Ukraine strategies.

Brink’s recent response to a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who called the U.S. Embassy’s statement “surprisingly disappointing” for not naming Russia as the perpetrator. However, there is no indication that the incident influenced her decision to resign. The State Department praised Brink’s service as “extraordinary,” emphasizing that U.S. efforts to end the war will continue.

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