US Ambassador to Ukraine Resigns Amid Stalemate in Peace Talks

(Patria) - Acting US Ambassador to Kyiv Julie Davis will step down from her post and retire, US officials and the State Department said, amid a lull in US-brokered negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The Financial Times first reported Davis's departure, saying it was due to differences with President Donald Trump's policy and that Davis had grown frustrated with her role due to his diminishing support for Ukraine.

The State Department rejected that characterization, saying it was "false" to say she was leaving due to differences with Trump.

"Ambassador Davis has been a staunch advocate for the Trump administration's efforts to achieve a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine," said department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

"She will continue to proudly promote President Trump's policies until she officially departs Kyiv in June 2026 and retires from the department," Pigott added.

Davis, a career member of the US diplomatic service with more than three decades of experience, took over as charge d'affaires in Ukraine in May 2025 after her predecessor Bridget Brink, also a career diplomat, resigned over objections to Trump's Ukraine policy.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has blamed Ukraine for Russia's invasion of the country more than four years ago and has had a turbulent relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Republican president has also been strongly pushing, but so far failing, to end the war with ceasefire negotiations that have now largely stalled as Washington has focused on the war in Iran.

Trump has adopted a much friendlier approach toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Davis also served as US Ambassador to Cyprus from 2023 and continued her dual role during her tenure in Kyiv.