Kyiv, Ukraine. Former United States ambassador to Cyprus Julie Davis has resigned from her role as the country’s charge d’affaires in Ukraine after less than a year in the job, amid reports of differences of opinion with US President Donald Trump.
The US State Department denied reports that Davis had become frustrated with her role and said she would continue in her post until she departs Kyiv in June and retires from the department.
Reports and State Department response
The Financial Times and other outlets reported on Wednesday that Davis had become “frustrated” with her role, citing Trump’s support for Ukraine as less steadfast than that of his predecessor Joe Biden.
State Department spokesman Tommy Piggot rejected that account, saying Davis “has been a steadfast proponent of the Trump administration’s efforts to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine”. He added that she will “continue to proudly advance President Trump’s policies until she officially departs Kyiv in June … and retires from the department”.
US-Ukraine relations during Trump’s second term
Davis’ resignation comes as Washington and Kyiv have experienced a fluctuating relationship since Trump’s second term began last year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s first visit to Washington after Trump’s inauguration ended with Trump and Vice President JD Vance shouting at him on live television. The US later briefly halted its supply of hardware and intelligence to Ukraine before the support resumed.
Later last year, Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and invited Zelenskiy back to Washington three days later for a second meeting.
Diplomatic talks and peace proposals
More recently, diplomats from the US, Ukraine, and Russia held meetings in Abu Dhabi and in Geneva during the opening months of the year, with US officials hoping the war could be brought to an end by June.
This followed publication of an American 28-point peace plan that would freeze the current frontline as a de facto border and bar Ukraine from joining Nato or allowing Nato troops to enter Ukraine.
Davis’ appointment and succession
Davis took up her role in May last year, succeeding Bridget Brink, who was reported to have resigned in part due to opposition to Trump’s stance on the war.
What do you think Davis’ resignation could mean for US diplomatic engagement with Ukraine?