U.S. Appoints Third Temporary Envoy to Ukraine in Summer
The US has again replaced its temporary ambassador in Ukraine.
Consensus
- The U.S. has not had a confirmed ambassador to Ukraine since April 2025.
- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has been led by temporary envoys since April 2025.
- Pol Houston assumed the role of temporary envoy on August 23, 2025.
- Houston is a career diplomat with prior postings in Niger, Germany, Jordan, Haiti, Serbia, and the UN office in Geneva.
- The position of temporary envoy has changed multiple times during the summer of 2025.
Points of divergence
- The vacancy of the ambassadorship began after a public dispute between Presidents Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office, leading to the resignation of then-ambassador Bridget Brink in protest. — kommersant
- The prospect of leading the U.S. mission in Kyiv has become a 'death sentence' under Trump's administration. — kommersant
- Sandra Audrik, the previous temporary envoy, left her position without any public explanation. — vedomosti
- Julie Davis, the envoy before Audrik, left due to disagreements with President Donald Trump. — vedomosti
Coverage (2 sources)
- USA replaced third temporary attorney in Ukraine this summer — Коммерсантъ
- USA again replaced the temporary envoy in Ukraine — Ведомости