Bridgit Brink, the former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, has raised concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine in March 2025. This action, she stated, jeopardized the safety of American embassy personnel in Kyiv, who were protected by Ukrainian air defense systems utilizing U.S. equipment.
Brink made these remarks in a commentary for Reuters, reflecting on her tenure as ambassador during a critical period. Following a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, the U.S. halted military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The suspension included vital supplies, such as munitions for air defense systems that shielded both Ukrainian citizens and American embassy staff from Russian drone and missile attacks.
“I had a thousand people, all civilians, on the ground. And we were being protected by Ukrainians using American and other equipment,” Brink stated.
She emphasized that the cessation of military support occurred without prior notice. Brink noted, “When we tried to understand why it was stopped, we received no answers.”
Brink expressed her concerns to the Pentagon, the State Department, and the White House, apprehensive about the implications for both Ukrainians and the safety of American personnel. Her team sought to discreetly persuade the Trump administration to restore aid, which was eventually agreed upon on March 11, 2025. However, she reported that no official explanation was provided for the initial suspension.
During the administration of President Joe Biden, Brink regularly participated in U.S. National Security Council meetings, which traditionally coordinate foreign and defense policy between Washington and the Kyiv embassy. Under Trump, such meetings ceased, and Brink was instructed to “just call people,” a method she described as ineffective in a conflict zone where Russian attacks were commonplace.
“We are seven hours ahead (referring to the time difference between Ukraine and the U.S.) and almost every night we are in a bunker,” Brink remarked.
Brink characterized Trump’s approach to Ukraine as a policy of appeasement, aimed at fostering closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin while blaming Ukraine for the aggression it faced. In April 2025, Brink resigned in protest. Two months later, she announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan as a member of the Democratic Party.
Her successor, Julie Davis, who served as acting chargé d’affaires, is also set to retire in June 2026. The State Department announced this on April 28, 2026, with spokesperson Tommy Pigott stating that Davis is retiring after “distinguished 30 years of service” in the diplomatic corps.
The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Bridgit Brink, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, expressed serious concerns about the suspension of military aid to Ukraine under President Trump, highlighting the risks to American embassy personnel. Brink's remarks shed light on the implications of U.S. foreign policy decisions during a critical period in the ongoing conflict.
Source: Reuters