Sun May 18 15:10:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Resigns, Cites Policy Differences on Russia**
**Grand Rapids, MI** – Bridget Brink, a Grand Rapids native and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, has resigned from her post, citing irreconcilable differences with the Trump administration’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a statement released after returning to Michigan, Brink, a veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service for nearly three decades, expressed her deep concern over the administration’s perceived pressure on Ukraine, the victim of Russian aggression, rather than on Russia itself.
“Unfortunately, the policy since the beginning of the Trump administration has been to put pressure on the victim, Ukraine, rather than on the aggressor, Russia,” Brink stated. “As such, I could no longer in good faith carry out the administration’s policy and felt it was my duty to step down.”
Brink, who served under five presidents from both parties, painted a grim picture of the situation in Ukraine, detailing the devastating impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion, including the deaths of thousands of civilians, the abduction of children, and the commission of over 150,000 war crimes. She emphasized the importance of U.S. leadership in standing up for democracies and against autocrats, warning that appeasement would only lead to more war and suffering.
“If we allow Putin to redraw borders by force, he won’t stop with Ukraine,” Brink cautioned, adding that Russian success would embolden China and undermine global security. She also highlighted the significant economic ties between the U.S. and Europe, particularly the $1.6 trillion trade relationship that supports millions of jobs.
Brink further stated that the war in Ukraine is not just about foreign policy or economics, it’s about the core values of America. She stated her grandfather proudly served in WWII and the America she loves “would never stand by and let such horrors happen. Or give up helping our friends. Or appease the aggressor.”
Despite stepping down from her ambassadorial role, Brink pledged to continue advocating for American leadership on the global stage, emphasizing the need to stand up for democracy and oppose aggression. “I may no longer be an American diplomat, but I will never stop believing in the need for American leadership to secure our own future and offer the beacon of hope and possibility for every Michigander, every American and so many others around the world.”
First Piper 