Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022
"I saw it on TV as many other people did, was very concerned watching what was happening."
At that time, Bridget A. Brink was U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic.
"I came three months into the war. It was me and nine diplomats.
The U.S. absent an ambassador to Ukraine for three years. Now it was reestablishing ties and reopening its embassy.
"What we are trying to do is provide as much security assistance , and other assistance, as possible together with partners and allies, to make the Ukrainians as strong as possible so that President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy can make his decision. Will continue to fight, or will he begin to negotiate? Again, the decision will be up to him. But our job is to try to help him be in the strongest possible position."
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan says it awards the Vandenbgerg Prize to "a national or international leader who has been influential in developing global understanding and collabaoration on the world stage."
