Trump picks Richard Grenell as particular missions envoy By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump mentioned on Saturday he would select Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, as presidential envoy for particular missions, a publish the place he’ll possible direct coverage towards sure adversaries People, together with North Korea.

“Ric will work in a few of the hottest locations on earth, together with Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump mentioned on his Reality social media platform, with out additional describing his duties.

Grenell served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, the president’s particular envoy for peace negotiations in Serbia and Kosovo, and performing director of nationwide intelligence throughout Trump’s time period from 2017 to 2021.

After campaigning for Trump earlier than the Nov. 5 election, he was a number one candidate for secretary of state, a place that went to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. He was additionally thought of as particular envoy for the warfare in Ukraine, which was assigned to retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg (NYSE:).

Trump takes workplace subsequent month.

Presidents appoint particular envoys to concentrate on world points or crises that always overwhelm an envoy’s concentrate on bilateral relations with one other nation.

North Korea and Venezuela are adversaries of america, though Reuters reported that Trump plans to pursue direct talks with North Korean chief Kim Jong Un, hoping to scale back the prospect of armed battle.

It is unclear what response Kim would possibly supply to Trump. The North Koreans have ignored 4 years of outreach by U.S. President Joe Biden to start talks with out preconditions, and Kim is emboldened by an expanded missile arsenal and far nearer relations with Russia.

Throughout his presidential marketing campaign, Trump referred to as Venezuelan chief Nicolas Maduro a dictator. Maduro mentioned Trump’s re-election was “a brand new starting” for bilateral relations.

Throughout his first time period, Trump applied more durable sanctions in opposition to the South American nation, together with in opposition to its key oil business. Maduro broke off relations in 2019.