US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink to exit amid peace push with Russia

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is resigning from her position, the State Department confirmed on Thursday. This development comes as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to facilitate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, announced Brink’s departure without providing a specific timeline for her exit. Brink, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience, was appointed by former President Joe Biden and received unanimous approval from the Senate in May 2022, shortly after Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Brink assumed her role as the first U.S. ambassador to Kyiv since 2019, playing a crucial role in reestablishing America’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine following the evacuation of embassy personnel in the early stages of the conflict. Prior to her assignment in Ukraine, Brink served as the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia and held prominent positions at the National Security Council. She is fluent in Russian and has been a staunch advocate for U.S. interests in Eastern Europe.

During her tenure in Ukraine, Brink actively supported American military assistance and frequently appeared alongside Ukrainian leaders in public engagements. Her resignation coincides with the Trump administration’s shift towards resolving the conflict through diplomatic negotiations and renewed discussions with Russia.

In a separate development on Thursday, U.S. and Russian officials engaged in rare face-to-face discussions in Istanbul with the aim of repairing strained diplomatic relations. The two parties exchanged formal notes to finalize an agreement that would stabilize banking services for their respective embassies, a critical step in ensuring the continuity of diplomatic missions.

In recent years, both countries have imposed financial restrictions on each other’s embassies and reduced staffing levels due to the fallout from the conflict. The formalized banking agreement could pave the way for the restoration of some of the lost diplomatic connections between the two nations. Follow-up talks are anticipated, although a specific date has yet to be determined.

Brink’s departure comes at a pivotal juncture in U.S. foreign policy and may pave the way for the appointment of a new ambassador who aligns more closely with the Trump administration’s objectives in securing a ceasefire agreement. The State Department has not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding this matter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jasmine, a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans, can be reached at jasmine.baehr@fox.com for story submissions.