US ambassador to Ukraine quits

AP WASHINGTON

The  US  ambassador to Ukraine is stepping down from her post after nearly three years in Kyiv amid uncertainty over the Trump administration’s attempts to broker a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The State Department said Thursday that Bridget Brink will be leaving her post in the near future, although it was not immediately clear exactly when she would depart. Brink assumed the job under former President Joe Biden’s administration and has been a staunch advocate for US military assistance to Ukraine.

Her resignation had been expected for some time, especially considering the Trump administration’s premium on rapprochement with Russia and ending the war. “Ambassador Brink has been at the embassy in Ukraine for three years during a time of war,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters. “For those three years it’s been an extraordinary performance there. And we wish her well.” Bruce added that “we’re working for (peace) and that is our focus”.

Brink, a career foreign service officer, has been outspoken in her support for arming Ukraine to help it defend itself from Russia’s invasion and had continued her advocacy even after President Donald Trump took office in January and began to pressure Ukraine to accept a ceasefire proposal.