yet, i found the confusing and unusual arrangement for making u.s. policy towards ukraine. there appeared to be two channels of u.s. policy making and implementation, one regular and one highly irregular. as the acting ambassador, i had authority over the regular, formal diplomatic processes including the bulk of the u.s. effort to support ukraine against russian invasion and help it defeat corruption. my colleague, dep tear assistant secretary of state george kent and our colleagues at the national security council were my main points of contact in washington in this regular channel. this channel is formally responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of u.s. foreign policy with respect to ukraine, a kol pee that has consistently enjoyed strong bipartisan support and all administrations since ukraine's independence from russia in 1991. at the same time, however, i encountered an irregular