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Bridget Brink, US ambassador to Ukraine, is withdrawing after increasing policy disputes with President Donald Trump’s administration, according to people known by its decision.
Her departure also comes in the midst of a deterioration in her working relationship with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though this was not the reason for her to give up, people said.
Brink is a career diplomat who was appointed by Trump during his first term to serve as the US ambassador to Slovakia. She was later appointed as ambassador to Ukraine by President Joe Biden.
People familiar with the Brink’s decision to attract that she had fallen under increased pressure from senior figures in the Trump administration, who had questioned her willingness to support their strategy in Ukraine.
Trump’s occupation of Russia’s occupation in Ukraine has destroyed much of Biden’s work, which supported this billions of dollars of military and financial aid and imposed sanctions on Moscow.
Trump is pressuring a quick end of war, and has sought to normalize US relations with Russia through direct talks with President Vladimir Putin, and has called Zelenskyy a “dictator”.
A State Department spokesman said: “Ambassador Brink is withdrawing. She has been the ambassador there for three years – this is a long time in a war zone.”
The White House and the State Department did not comment on questions about policy disputes between the Trump administration and Brink.
Brink cannot be reached immediately for comment.
Tensions between Brink and Zelenskyy have been visible recently. He issued a critical statement to the ambassador last week after a Russian missile attack in his hometown in Kryvyi Rih who killed 20 people, including nine children.
After the attack, Brink wrote on X: “Terrified that tonight a ballistic rocket struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. That is why the war must end.”
Zelenskyy noted the lack of direct attribution of guilt over the Brink attack, and said in the telegram: “Unfortunately, the US Embassy’s reaction is surprised: such a strong place, such a strong people – and such a poor reaction.
Brink used her latest post on Wednesday to clarify who was responsible for the attack.
“Today I became my respect for families and loved ones.
Western diplomats in Kyiv said that Brink had been an essential advocate for KyIw in public and private since the early weeks of Russia’s full -scale occupation in 2022.
One described it as a “strong character” and “serious diplomat”, but pressure from Trump and Zelenskyy offices had received a fee.
Ukrainian officials said they saw Brink as very critical of them, especially in the country’s efforts to root embedded corruption.
Officials showed a noticeable shift in its messages recently, which they regarded as more in accordance with Trump and increasingly critical of Ukraine.
After a line between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House in February, Brink was sent to social media to support the US president.
A Summary of the FT BRINK posts on X before and after Trump took office on January 20th showed a clear difference in its public statements, especially in relation to Russia.
In 75 days before Trump’s inauguration, she posted critically for Russia and the war in Ukraine 53 times. In 75 days later, she posted only five times with Russia’s mention, none of which blamed the country for his attacks.
Additional reporting by Steff Chávez to Washington
