U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named Matthew Whitaker, former acting attorney general, as the next U.S. ambassador to NATO, according to a statement released Nov. 20.
Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, 25, has been assembling appointees for his upcoming administration, often prizing loyalty over policy expertise. Some nominees have raised alarm, particularly the choice of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Congressman Mike Waltz as national security advisor.
Whitaker's nomination comes amid concerns that a Trump administration would dramatically reduce U.S. investment in the NATO alliance.
"Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability — He will put AMERICA FIRST," Trump's statement read.
There is little known about Whitaker's foreign policy positions. He worked as a U.S. attorney for the southern district of Iowa before joining the Justice Department in 2017 as Attorney General Jeff Sessions' chief of staff. He then served briefly as acting attorney general after Sessions resigned at Trump's request.
Whitaker has no evident experience in national security, diplomacy, or foreign policy.
Whitaker will be a key figure in selling Trump's much-touted peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to NATO member nations. Trump frequently promised to effect such a deal within "24 hours" of his election.
One idea Trump's team has put forth for ending Russia's war involves delaying Kyiv's NATO membership for at least 20 years in exchange for continued arms supplies, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Nov. 6, citing three sources close to Trump.
Ukraine submitted a request for NATO membership in 2022 but has not received an invitation, in part because the country is actively at war.
NATO accession is also a core component of President Volodymyr Zelensky's five-part victory plan, but Kyiv's bid for membership received a cold response from U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and other leaders.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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