Eleanor Finch
Since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States has provided diplomatic support and military assistance to Ukraine. However, the Trump administration's shift in policy towards Russia has caused upheaval in Washington's relations with Kyiv, leading to the resignation of US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink. The US has paused military aid and intelligence-sharing, and switched from supporting Ukraine's NATO membership to ruling it out. This has caused concern in Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging the US to use its strength to force Russia into a ceasefire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| US Ambassador to Ukraine | Bridget Brink |
| Date of resignation | Two days before April 12, 2025 |
| Reason for resignation | Pressure from President Zelensky's office in Kyiv and the strain of working under President Trump |
| US policy shift | From supporting Ukraine's NATO membership to ruling it out |
| US pause on aid | All military aid and intelligence-sharing paused to force Kyiv to commit to talks to end the war |
| US military aid | $31.7 billion in military assistance provided to Ukraine from DoD stockpiles since August 2021 |
| US proposal | Immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire |
| US position | Ukraine has no leverage and therefore no ability to set conditions |
| Ukraine's position | Ending the war is a welcome goal but only under the right conditions |
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What You'll Learn
US military aid to Ukraine
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the US has provided approximately $69.2 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This figure includes $31.7 billion in military assistance from DoD stockpiles, provided through the emergency Presidential Drawdown Authority. The US has also offered intelligence support and battlefield advice based on satellite intelligence.
In the months leading up to 2024, the US Department of Defense supplied Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armoured vehicles. In December 2024, then-President Joe Biden approved an additional $1.25 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, which has helped maintain the flow of US arms.
The US has also provided support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities. This includes training and equipping Ukrainian demining and EOD teams to international standards through Tetra Tech's expert instructors.
However, with the Trump administration, the era of US military aid to Ukraine is approaching its end. Since taking office, President Trump has not approved any military aid packages for Ukraine. While the US still possesses several billion dollars in drawdown authority, it is insufficient to sustain long-term support. To continue providing significant aid, Congress would need to approve additional Ukraine funding, which is unlikely with the Republican Party in control of both chambers and the White House.
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US-Russia relations
The US has expressed its commitment to advancing peace and implementing a sustainable solution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. President Trump has stated that the conflict is unsustainable and must end, and that the US will use its leverage, influence, and national power to achieve peace. The US has communicated to Russia that reciprocity is key to reaching a resolution. However, there have been challenges in US-Ukraine relations as well, with the US reportedly pausing military aid and intelligence-sharing to force Kyiv to commit to talks, and shifting its policy away from Ukraine and towards Russia.
Ukraine has consistently sought to end the war and achieve peace, but only under the right conditions. It has proposed a staged approach to a ceasefire, starting with an end to air and maritime hostilities. However, there are concerns that a complete ceasefire forced on Ukraine without considering its conditions will not bring a sustainable end to the war. Ukraine has also expressed its trust in the US and its ability to influence Russia to force through a ceasefire and lasting peace.
The US-Russia relationship has been further complicated by the resignation of the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, due to pressures from both Kyiv and Washington. The new administration has opened multiple channels to Moscow, ruling out Ukraine's path to NATO membership. Despite these challenges, the US remains committed to providing security cooperation and support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
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US-Ukraine relations
The United States established diplomatic relations with Ukraine in 1991, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The US has provided around $69.2 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's initial invasion in 2014, including $31.7 billion in aid from DoD stockpiles. The US has also provided mine-clearing equipment, multiple-launch rocket systems, long-range artillery systems, and support for training and maintenance activities.
Despite this, Ukraine continues to seek support from the US to end the war with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed to US President Donald Trump and the US administration to use America's strength to force Russia into a ceasefire and lasting peace. Zelenskyy has argued that Putin will not end the war on his own and that US influence is necessary to pressure Russia into ending the conflict.
The US has expressed its commitment to promoting peace and providing leadership to reach a sustainable resolution. President Trump has stated that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia must end and that negotiations will involve complex diplomacy and tough decisions from both sides. However, there are concerns that a complete ceasefire forced on Ukraine without the right conditions will not bring a sustainable end to the war.
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US influence on Russia
US-Russia relations have been challenging since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During the early years of Boris Yeltsin's presidency, the United States and Russia established a cooperative relationship, working together to address global issues such as arms control, counterterrorism, and the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, relations became strained during Yeltsin's second term due to disagreements over NATO's expansion into Eastern Europe and its intervention in Yugoslavia.
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has become a centralized authoritarian state and a global player competing with the United States for influence. Russia seeks recognition for its right to a sphere of influence in the post-Soviet states, which includes preventing these states from joining NATO or the European Union. The US has refused to accept this premise and insists on Russia's neighbors' right to choose their foreign policy orientation. This disagreement is a significant source of tension between the two countries.
Another factor influencing US-Russia relations is the allegation that Russia interfered in the 2016 US presidential election and possessed compromising information on then-candidate Donald Trump. The Steele dossier, leaked shortly before Trump's inauguration, suggested that the Kremlin had promised to not release the compromising information if the Trump administration cooperated. This raised concerns about potential Russian influence over the Trump administration, leading to skepticism and distrust in the relationship between the two countries.
The United States has also been critical of Russia's aggression toward its geographic neighbors, including its invasion of Ukraine. The US has provided significant military assistance to Ukraine, totaling approximately $69.2 billion since Russia's initial invasion in 2014. The US has used its leverage and influence to advance peace and implement a sustainable solution to the conflict, pushing for a cease-fire and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
In conclusion, US-Russia relations are complex and challenging due to competing interests and influences. Russia seeks to establish itself as a global power, challenging the dominance of the United States on the international scene. The US, on the other hand, is critical of Russia's authoritarianism, aggression toward its neighbors, and interference in US politics. The two countries have struggled to find a balance between cooperation and competition, resulting in a tense and often strained relationship.
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US influence on Ukraine
The United States has exerted significant influence on Ukraine since its independence, with the stated goal of supporting Ukraine's transition to a democratic society with a prosperous market-based economy. US assistance to Ukraine has taken various forms, including economic reform support, humanitarian aid, and military assistance.
US-Ukraine relations have been described as cordial and strategically important to both nations. The US government has consistently encouraged Ukraine's transition to democracy and provided support for comprehensive economic reforms. This alignment of interests led to Ukraine becoming a primary recipient of FSA assistance, with total US assistance exceeding $3 billion.
However, the relationship has experienced setbacks and complexities. In 2002, relations suffered a blow when the US federal government authenticated a recording of President Leonid Kuchma's decision to transfer a Kolchuga early warning system to Iraq. Despite Ukraine's denial, this incident caused tension between the two countries.
The US response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 significantly shaped its influence on the country. The US became one of Ukraine's most important military backers, providing approximately $69.2 billion in military assistance since the initial invasion in 2014, and an additional $31.7 billion from DoD stockpiles. This support included equipment, training, and sustainment activities, as well as weapons systems, radars, and port security equipment.
US diplomatic efforts have also played a role in the conflict. President Trump expressed a desire for peace and stated that the US would use its leverage, influence, and national power to advance a sustainable solution. However, the Trump administration's approach has been controversial, with reports suggesting a willingness to strike a deal with Russia over Ukraine's head and a deterioration of ties with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy.
The US has faced the challenge of balancing its support for Ukraine with the goal of promoting peace. While US assistance has been crucial to Ukraine's survival, the restrictions on the range and use of weapons have led to a war of attrition that has severely strained Ukrainian forces without a clear path to victory.
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Frequently asked questions
The US is not blocking diplomacy in Ukraine. The US has provided $69.2 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's initial invasion in 2014. The US has also used its emergency Presidential Drawdown Authority to provide Ukraine with military assistance from DoD stockpiles. The US has also expressed its support for Ukraine's transition to a modern democratic state with a flourishing market economy.
The US has provided diplomatic support to Ukraine by advocating for its "'irreversible path' to NATO membership". The US has also participated in talks with Ukraine and expressed its readiness to accept a US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire.
Brink resigned due to pressure from both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office in Kyiv and her boss in Washington, President Donald Trump. The dramatic re-orientation of US policy away from Ukraine and towards Russia also contributed to her resignation.
The US has urged Russia to accept reasonable terms for an armistice and has supported Ukraine's proposed staged approach to a ceasefire, starting with an end to air and maritime hostilities.
