What did the former U.S. ambassador mean in her criticism of Ukraine policy?

Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, openly explained her decision to resign. According to her, the driving factor was the Trump administration’s increasing closeness with Russia and the growing pressure on Ukraine.

"The casualties of policy are not peace, but appeasement — and Ukraine"

In her May 16 article published in Detroit Free Press, Brink wrote:

“Unfortunately, from the beginning, the Trump administration’s core approach was to pressure not Russia, but suffering Ukraine. I could no longer faithfully carry out such a policy. Therefore, I considered resigning from government service to be the honest and necessary decision.”

Brink emphasized that the only way to defend American interests is to support democracy and stand against autocracy. She criticized the idea of “peace,” comparing it to the appeasement strategy used by France and Britain in the 1930s toward Nazi Germany:

“Peace under any circumstances is not real peace — it is appeasement. History has shown us again and again that this path does not bring safety or prosperity but leads to more wars and suffering.”

Sharp criticism of Russia

In her statement, Brink strongly condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, calling them “evil.” She added that the way the U.S. ends this war will send a clear message to both allies and adversaries:

“How we end this war will tell a lot to both our friends and our enemies.”

A seasoned diplomat

Bridget Brink was appointed U.S. ambassador to Kyiv in spring 2022. Prior to that, she held diplomatic positions in Slovakia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. With nearly 30 years of experience at the U.S. State Department, Brink is a specialist in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, fluent in Russian, and has been a strong advocate for U.S. military support to Ukraine.

Zamin.uz commentary

Brink’s resignation is a political protest and highlights tensions within American foreign policy. Her sharp statement, especially the idea that “appeasement is not peace,” reveals how significant Washington’s decisions are not just for Ukraine but for the global order.

Zamin.uz editorial staff will continue to follow U.S.-Ukraine-Russia developments closely and provide timely, accurate coverage for our readers. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!