By Gram Slattery, Humeyra Pamuk and Nathan Layne
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating tapping Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, to be a particular envoy for the Russia-Ukraine battle, in line with 4 sources aware of the transition plans.
Grenell, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany and was performing director of nationwide intelligence throughout Trump’s 2017-2021 time period, would play a key position in Trump’s efforts to halt the struggle if he’s in the end chosen for the publish.
Whereas there may be at the moment no particular envoy devoted solely to resolving the Russia-Ukraine battle, Trump is contemplating creating the position, in line with the 4 sources, who requested anonymity to debate inner deliberations.
Trump might in the end determine to not create a particular envoy for the battle in Ukraine, though he’s strongly contemplating doing so, the sources stated. If he does, he might in the end choose another person for the position, and there’s no assure Grenell would settle for.
Trump vowed on the marketing campaign path to swiftly finish the battle, though he has not stated how he’ll do it.
A few of Grenell’s stances might give Ukraine’s leaders pause.
Throughout a Bloomberg roundtable in July, he advocated for the creation of “autonomous zones” as a method of settling the battle, which started after Russia invaded Ukrainian sovereign territory. He additionally urged he wouldn’t be in favor of Ukraine becoming a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Group within the quick future, a place he shares with many Trump allies.
Grenell’s supporters be aware he has had a protracted diplomatic profession and has a deep data of European affairs. Along with serving as ambassador to Germany, Grenell was additionally a particular presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition effort, declined to remark, past saying the president-elect’s personnel selections “will continue to be announced by him when they are made.”
Grenell didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Grenell, who campaigned for Trump within the lead as much as the Nov. 5 election, was a high contender to be secretary of state.
He was in the end handed over for Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a transfer that shocked and upset a few of Grenell’s shut allies.
