Paul Houston was appointed acting chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Kyiv on August 23. He replaced Sandra Udkirk, who had held the position for approximately one month.
Udkirk began her assignment in Kyiv on July 18. No information was provided about the reason for the change or Udkirk’s new assignment.

Houston highlights religious freedom and peace
Houston said religious freedoms are among the United States’ fundamental freedoms. He said these freedoms provide a genuine and necessary foundation for peace.
The new acting chargé d’affaires described his embassy assignment as a long-term effort. Houston said he would work to advance religious freedom and peace.
Served as a career diplomat
According to a short biography published by the US Embassy in Kyiv, Houston is a career diplomat. He previously worked in Niger, Germany, Jordan, Serbia, Geneva and Haiti.
Houston’s diplomatic assignments included close work on security issues.