Trump taps Grenell as key envoy in Ukraine peace push

President-elect of the USA, Donald Trump, is considering appointing Richard Grenell as a special envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Grenell, a former intelligence chief and ambassador to Germany, is known for criticizing Ukraine's swift accession to NATO.

According to Reuters, Grenell could play a key role in Trump's efforts to end Russia’s war with Ukraine. The decision to create this position has not yet been made, but it could be one of the first diplomatic moves of the new president.

During the election campaign, Trump promised to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine within 24 hours, but he did not reveal the details of his plan. During the Republican Party convention, Grenell suggested the creation of autonomous regions in Ukraine, which was met with criticism from President Zelensky.

The Ukrainska Pravda portal noted that some statements by Grenell may cause concern in Kyiv, commenting on the agency's reports. According to the portal, "In July, Grenell told Bloomberg that a path to peace in Ukraine could include the creation of 'autonomous zones'."

"Autonomous regions can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but you got to work through those details," he said.

Grenell opposes Ukraine's accession to NATO in the near future, which aligns with the views of many people in Trump's circle.

Grenell has extensive diplomatic experience and knowledge of European affairs. In addition to his work in Germany, he was a special envoy of President Trump in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Previously, Grenell was considered a candidate for Secretary of State, but ultimately, the nomination went to Senator Marco Rubio. The fact that Grenell was considered demonstrates the great trust Trump has in him, emphasized Reuters.

Source: Reuters, The Ukrainska Pravda, The Kyiv Independent