U.S. diplomat Paul Houston, who recently began serving as U.S. chargé d’affaires in Ukraine, met with Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine reported on Sept. 4.
“Great meeting with Kyrylo Budanov, where we discussed U.S. priorities and opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” Houston said.
“The United States remains confident in Ukraine’s future as a sovereign and prosperous nation and committed to further strengthening our economic and security ties,” he said.
Houston began serving as U.S. chargé d’affaires in Ukraine on Aug. 23. He said he began his mission in Kyiv by attending the National Prayer Breakfast marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
U.S. Embassy in Ukraine under President Donald Trump
On April 10, 2025, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink resigned early. She had held the post for three years, starting before Donald Trump’s second election as president. A senior U.S. official said at the time that Brink’s resignation stemmed from an “unusual combination of personal and political issues,” including cuts at USAID that began immediately after Trump took office.
No U.S. ambassador to Ukraine was appointed after Brink’s resignation. Julie Davis had served as head of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv since May 2025.
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In April 2026, the Financial Times reported that Davis would leave the post and depart Kyiv within weeks over disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. State Department later confirmed Davis’ resignation.
Davis ended her diplomatic mission on June 27. On July 8, 2026, Sandra Oudkirk began serving as U.S. chargé d’affaires in Ukraine.
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