Trump eyes Grenell for key role in Russia-Ukraine peace talks

President-elect 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 rapid movement towards NATO membership.

According to Reuters, Grenell could be key in Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The decision to establish this position has not yet been finalized, but it could become one of the new president's first diplomatic initiatives.

During the election campaign, Trump promised to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine within 24 hours but did not disclose the details of his plan. At the Republican Party convention, Grenell suggested the creation of autonomous regions in Ukraine, a proposal that President Zelensky criticized.

Some of Grenell's statements may raise concerns in Kyiv, as the Ukrainska Pravda portal notes, 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 near-term accession to NATO, a stance that aligns with the views of many in Trump's circle.

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

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

Source: Reuters, The Ukrainska Pravda, The Kyiv Independent