**New U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Arrives in Ukraine Amid Policy Disputes**
Julie S. Davis, the newly appointed U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Ukraine, has arrived in Kyiv, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy. Her arrival comes after Ambassador Bridget Brink resigned, citing fundamental disagreements with the direction of U.S. policy under President Donald Trump. Diplomats in Kyiv have said that Brink’s exit was largely due to her opposition to Trump’s approach towards Ukraine and Russia.
Davis, who currently serves as U.S. ambassador to Cyprus, brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to the role. She has previously held positions such as ambassador and special representative for Belarus, deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Europe and the European Union, and deputy permanent representative to NATO. As Chargé d’Affaires, Davis will serve as Washington’s top diplomatic representative in Kyiv until a new ambassador is appointed.
**Trump’s Policy Shift Raises Concerns**
The arrival of Davis comes at a critical moment, with President Trump’s administration pushing for a shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine and Russia. During his 2024 election campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, but progress has been limited. Trump’s team has pressured Kyiv to make concessions to Russia without applying visible pressure on Moscow to halt its aggression.
The U.S. has been a leading military supporter of Ukraine throughout the full-scale war, but Trump has yet to approve any new aid packages. A possible exit from peace efforts raises concerns that the U.S. might also cease all backing for Ukraine, including intelligence support.
**Embassy Official Resigns in Protest**
Brink’s departure follows that of another embassy official, Foreign Service Officer Kraig Cook, who resigned in February in protest over what he called the administration’s “parroting of Kremlin talking points.” In his resignation letter, seen by the Kyiv Independent, Cook condemned the U.S. approach to Ukraine as predatory and accused embassy leadership of silence in the face of Russian aggression.
**Signing of Reconstruction Investment Fund**
The statement from the embassy also highlights the signing of a long-awaited agreement to establish a Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. The fund was signed on April 30, following several months of negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. The deal marks a significant step forward in bilateral relations, which had reached a low point after a public argument between President Zelensky and Trump in February.
Overall, Davis’s arrival in Kyiv comes at a time of great uncertainty for U.S.-Ukraine relations, with Trump’s policy shift raising concerns about the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. As Chargé d’Affaires, Davis will be tasked with navigating these complex diplomatic waters and ensuring that the U.S. continues to provide strong support to its Ukrainian allies.
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