Paul Houston took over as chargé d’affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on August 23.
Houston replaced Sandra Udkirk, who began serving in the post on July 18. No information was provided about Udkirk’s new assignment after her approximately one-month tenure.

Houston will work for religious freedom and peace
Houston said religious freedoms were among the fundamental freedoms of the United States. He said these freedoms formed a real and necessary foundation for peace.
Describing his assignment as a long-term effort, the new chargé d’affaires ad interim said he would work to advance religious freedom and peace.
Career diplomat Houston
According to a brief biography published by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Houston is a career diplomat. He has previously served in Niger, Germany, Jordan, Serbia, Geneva and Haiti.
Houston focused closely on security issues during his diplomatic assignments.