Former U
S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink enters politics: running for Congress in Michigan In an unexpected turn, Ukrainian-American diplomat and political figure Bridget Brink, who nearly three years led the U.S. diplomatic mission in Ukraine, announced her intention to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. This decision came as a surprise not only to her diplomatic colleagues and the American political elite but also to the general public, as Brink is primarily known as a senior foreign policy official rather than a political newcomer. Brink’s new career phase is connected to her desire to become more actively involved in politics in her home state of Michigan. Her campaign has officially begun and already draws significant attention due to her sharp positions on global and domestic issues. In a video message posted on Twitter, Brink emphasized her roots and professional experience: “I have dedicated my life to defending democracy and fighting for freedom. That’s why we stood up to Putin and voted against undemocratic trends in the U.S.” In the same video, she openly condemns the current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for their policies toward Ukraine. She states that Trump continues to pressure Ukraine’s democratic ally and fails to respond appropriately to Russian aggression. Brink firmly believes that “appeasing a dictator will never lead to stable peace,” and she highlighted that her political decision is primarily driven by the desire to defend democratic values and oppose authoritarianism, especially given the current geopolitical context. “After nearly 30 years of service, I decided to leave diplomacy to openly engage in political life and fight for the interests of American citizens here at home,” Brink stated. In an interview with The Detroit News, Brink shared that after returning from Ukraine, she received several offers in business, non-governmental organizations, and academia, but ultimately prioritized political engagement and decided to focus on running for Congress. “These elections are very important—they will determine what kind of country we want to be, what our future will look like, and what we pass on to our children and grandchildren,” she said in her speech. Brink, a member of the Democratic Party, is planning to run in the 2026 midterm elections for Michigan’s 7th district. The incumbent, Republican Tom Barrett, is a potential opponent. According to The Detroit News, this district is among the most competitive in the country, making the outcome unpredictable and opening broad opportunities for contest. It is worth noting that Bridget Brink served as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from May 2022 until April 2025. After her departure, she openly admitted that her resignation was primarily due to disagreements with the new U.S. administration’s policy on Ukraine and foreign policy in general, which she considers insufficiently firm and cautious regarding Russian aggression. Brink’s openness to participating in politics and her career marked by her fight for democracy are seen by many as signs of her shifting role in the U.S. political landscape. Now, her main focus is not only on foreign policy but also on active engagement in domestic politics, which could influence the future of Michigan and the country as a whole. Her campaign already attracts attention from analysts and political observers, as the race in Michigan’s 7th district is expected to be a key stage in the U.S. midterm elections. If her candidacy gains voter support, it could further confirm the trend of former diplomats entering U.S. politics, reflecting changing approaches and desires among new forces to participate actively at state and federal levels. However, the prospects for victory remain uncertain, as the district is highly competitive, and the campaign promises to be a vivid and intense political contest. Overall, Brink’s decision to pursue politics is seen as a signal of changes in U.S. domestic and foreign policy and an acknowledgment of the importance of active civic and political engagement amid current geopolitical instability and global challenges.