Silent crisis at the US Embassy in Kiev: Departures, tensions and dissensions to the new line of the Trump Administration

While President Donald Trump is trying to regain relations with the Russian Federation, a discreet but deep crisis is outlined at the Kiev Embassy in Kiev. Diplomatic sources talk about internal dissatisfaction, voluntary departures and an increasing tension between Washington's policy and the reality of the Ukraine war, writes Kyiv Independent.

Crisis at the US Embassy in Kyiv after resigning of ambassador Bridget Brink Photo Shutterstock

The most visible departure is that of Ambassador Bridget Brink, who announced his resignation on April 10, just a few weeks before completing three years of mandate. Diplomatic sources in the Ukrainian capital confirmed that Brink left the city on April 21. The embassy refused to publicly comment on the reasons for his withdrawal.

According to several Western diplomats accredited to Kyiv, the ambassador's decision would have been determined by “Fund misunderstandings” With the new Washington administration, especially in terms of foreign policy towards Ukraine.

Tone change and Kiev's reaction

During the mandate of the Biden administration, Bridget Brink was perceived as a fervent supporter of the Ukrainian cause. Sources from the diplomatic community describe it as a binder between the American Congress and the Kiev government, a balanced, but firm voice, in favor of military and financial aid granted to Ukraine.

After Donald Trump's victory in the November 2024 presidential elections, the ambassador's speech began to align the new official line. The turning moment was the meeting of February 28 between President Trump and Volodimir Zelenski, at the White House, after which the Ukrainian leader was publicly criticized and forced to leave the meeting before the deadline. Brink did not comment on the incident, but his official account redistributed posts by President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which Zelenski was accused of lack of gratitude and lack of peace.

This change of tuna was also noted in Kyiv. On April 4, after a Russian attack on the city of Krivoi ROG, resulting in 20 dead – of which 9 children – the message transmitted by the ambassador avoided to explicitly mention the responsibility of Russia. President Zelenski's reaction was harsh: “Such a strong country, such a brave people – and yet such a weak reaction.”the Ukrainian leader said in a video speech. “They even fear the word “Russian”.

Subsequently, the ambassador adjusted its speech, explicitly mentioning the Russian federation in messages related to civilians, including a bombing on the city of Sumî, in which 35 people died.

Denies in chain and official silence

Brink is not the only one who has left the post. In February, shortly before the Trump-Zenski meeting, he announced his resignation and Kraig Cook, press officer of the embassy. In a letter of resignation obtained by Kyiv Independent, Cook accuses the Trump Administration for “Kremlin's Narba Tarring” and criticizes and the Critical Mineral Agreement between US and Ukraine.

He talks about a “Deafening silence” a The management of the embassy, ​​in the context in which many employees declare themselves privately worried about the political direction imposed on Washington. Cook claims that he decided to leave the same day as the Trump-Zenski meeting, considering that moment as an irreparable break in the bilateral relationship.

“I was not the only one who had restraint towards the new orientations. But until now, I am the only one who resigned”, he said.

An ideological divorce?

Western diplomatic sources quoted under the protection of anonymity claim that the real reason for the departure of the Brink ambassador was the lack of compatibility with the new political leadership of the White House, less than any dissatisfaction of Kiev.

“The relationship with President Zelenski's office was already complicated even before the administration change, especially because of the insistence of the ambassador on the implementation of key reforms.”a diplomatic source said. However“The real reason for departure was that there was no common action between her and Washington.”

Even if Kiev's US officials do not comment, several Embassies in the G7 group have been informed that “The misunderstandings regarding the political line” I am the reason invoked for the withdrawal of the ambassador.

For the moment, it is not known who will take over the leadership of the US Embassy in Kiev, but the context in which this change is produced is a delicate one, at a time when Ukraine is facing intense military pressures and an increasingly uncertain support from its main ally.