The new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine promised more weaponry to help the country in its fight against Russia after presenting her credentials to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on June 2 in Kyiv.
Bridget Brink told reporters that her No. 1 mission was “to help Ukraine prevail against Russian aggression” and said the delivery of military aid was being accelerated.
“My understanding is that now it’s very quick, within days, less even, of a decision, that the hardware is in Ukrainian hands,” she said.
Earlier this week, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Washington was sending more advanced multiple rocket lunch systems to Ukraine as part of a $700 million package that includes air-surveillance radar, more Javelin short-range anti-tank rockets, artillery ammunition, helicopters, vehicles, and spare parts.
Russia says Washington is adding "fuel to the fire" by sending the weapons.
Brink, a veteran diplomat whose nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate just weeks ago, listed her five top priorities, which include overseeing U.S. government support and implementing U.S. security assistance to Ukraine.
Brink also vowed that U.S. officials “will work to ensure the world holds Russia to account for atrocities and war crimes.”
She added that Biden has pledged that the United States would help Ukraine for as long as it takes, “and that’s what we’ll do."
Brink, who speaks Russian, has been a career diplomat for 25 years and has worked in Uzbekistan and Georgia as well as in several senior positions across the State Department and the White House National Security Council.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine on May 19, the same day that the Senate confirmed Brink's nomination. The embassy had closed earlier this year due to security concerns.