Exclusive-Trump is considering former intelligence chief Richard Grenell for Ukraine job, sources say

By Gram Slattery, Humeyra Pamuk and Nathan Layne

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump is considering nominating Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, to be tasked with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to four sources familiar with the transition plans.

Grenell, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany and was acting director of national intelligence during Trump’s 2017-2021 term, would play a key role in Trump’s efforts to stop the war if he is eventually elected for this function.

While there is currently no special envoy dedicated solely to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump is considering creating the role, according to the four sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss domestic deliberations.

Trump may ultimately decide not to create a special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, although he is strongly considering it, the sources said. If he does, he could eventually cast someone else for the role, and there’s no guarantee Grenell would accept.

Trump has vowed to quickly end the conflict, though he has not said how he will do so.

Some of Grenell’s positions may give Ukraine’s leaders pause.

At a Bloomberg roundtable in July, he advocated the creation of “autonomous zones” as a means of resolving the conflict, which began after Russia invaded Ukraine’s sovereign territory. He also suggested he would not be in favor of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the immediate future, a position he shares with many of Trump’s allies.

Grenell’s supporters note that he has had a long diplomatic career and a deep knowledge of European affairs. In addition to serving as ambassador to Germany, Grenell was also a special presidential envoy for peace negotiations in Serbia and Kosovo.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump’s transition effort, declined to comment beyond saying that the president-elect’s personnel decisions “will continue to be announced by him when they are made.”

Grenell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Grenell, who campaigned for Trump ahead of the Nov. 5 election, was one of the top contenders for secretary of state.

Ultimately, he was passed over to Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a move that surprised and angered some of Grenell’s close allies.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery, Nathan Layne and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal Editing by Ross Colvin and Chris Reese)