**Trump Appoints Richard Grenell as Special Envoy for Special Missions**
Former US Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, will serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for special missions. In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that Grenell will work in “hot spots” around the world, including Venezuela and North Korea.
Grenell has previously held high-profile positions, including US Ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, acting National Intelligence Director in 2020, and Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations from 2019 to 2021. However, his appointment has been met with criticism from some analysts who see him as more radical.
**Concerns Over Grenell’s Approach**
Michael O’Hanlon, a researcher at the Brookings Institution, expressed concern over Grenell’s approach, saying that he was “more hopeful” about Trump’s selection of another candidate for the US Ukraine peace envoy. Ukrainian analyst Volodymyr Fesenko also raised concerns, stating that Grenell is more likely to apply strong pressure on Ukraine.
Grenell has been vocal in his support for a “peace through strength” approach, which involves using military power and economic pressure to deter aggression and secure peace. He has also expressed the belief that Ukraine should delay its NATO membership ambitions.
**Unclear Priorities for New Role**
The newly created role of special envoy for special missions currently lacks precedent, making it unclear what priorities and actions this new position will entail.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Hungary continues to maintain close economic and diplomatic relations with Moscow despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have delayed signing an agreement with the US on providing military aid to Kyiv.
Russian forces continue their assaults on Ukrainian positions, with a focus on Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. Two people were injured and infrastructure was damaged in Mykolaiv amid Russia’s overnight drone and missile attack.
**Global Response**
The global community is responding to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized the importance of inflicting “maximum pain” on Russian President Vladimir Putin through additional sanctions and enhanced military support for Ukraine.