U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink to step down: reasons revealed

Sources told the Financial Times about the decision.

According to people familiar with Brink’s decision to resign, she faced increasing pressure from senior Trump administration officials who questioned her willingness to support their strategy on Ukraine.

The White House and State Department did not comment in response to questions about political disagreements between the Trump administration and Brink. The Financial Times was also unable to reach Brink for comment.

The publication also mentions tensions in Brink’s working relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which formed a backdrop to her resignation, although it was not the direct cause.

What preceded it

Tensions between Brink and Zelenskyy became apparent last week when the Ukrainian president criticized the diplomat’s response to a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children.

After the attack, Brink wrote on X: “Horrific that a ballistic missile struck tonight near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. Over 50 injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end.”

Zelenskyy responded on Telegram, saying the U.S. embassy’s reaction was “unpleasantly surprising” and called it “weak.” He also pointed out that Brink did not use the word “Russian” when referring to the missile that killed the children.

By Wednesday, Brink published a new post stating: “Today I paid tribute to the families and loved ones of those killed … as a result of the Russian cluster missile attack in Kryvyi Rih on April 4.”

Western diplomats in Kyiv have described Brink as one of Ukraine’s most active public advocates. One called her a “serious diplomat” with a “strong character,” but said pressure from both the Trump and Zelenskyy camps had taken its toll.

Ukrainian government officials said they viewed Brink as overly critical of them, particularly regarding the country’s efforts to combat corruption.

Officials noted a noticeable shift in her messaging recently, which they believe has become more aligned with Trump’s position and increasingly critical of Ukraine.

For instance, after a dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House in February, Brink expressed support for the U.S. president on social media.

FT reviewed Brink’s posts on X before and after Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and found a clear change in her public statements, particularly regarding Russia.

In the 75 days before Trump’s inauguration, she criticized Russia and the war in Ukraine 53 times. In the 75 days after, she made only five posts mentioning Russia, none of which blamed it for the attacks.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department officially confirmed that Brink is stepping down from her position.