12 November 2024 | 13:13

Trump to appoint former rival as secretary of state - media

Photo: instagram.com/marcorubio

Tengrinews.kz – President-elect Donald Trump may appoint Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state. He will be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat after Trump takes office in January, according to Voice of America.

Tengrinews.kz – President-elect Donald Trump may appoint Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state. He will be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat after Trump takes office in January, according to Voice of America.

Rubio, Trump’s failed rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, was rumored to be a leading contender to be Trump’s vice presidential running mate before JD Vance’s candidacy was announced. After his failed presidential run, Rubio served as an informal foreign policy adviser and helped Trump prepare for his first debate with Biden in 2020.

It is noted that the new Trump administration will face a world that has become even more unstable and dangerous than the one he found in 2017. Wars continue in Ukraine and the Middle East, and China is strengthening its ties with Russia and Iran.

The Ukrainian crisis will also remain the focus of the secretary of state.

In recent interviews, Rubio has emphasized that Ukraine should seek a negotiated peace with Russia rather than insist on the full return of all Russian-seized territory. Rubio was also among 15 Republican senators who voted against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine passed in April.

"I'm not on Russia's side, but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," he said in an interview with NBC in September.

Rubio's appointment to such a key role has significant implications both domestically and internationally, according to American media. His selection could help Trump shore up support among Latinos and demonstrate that there will be a place for senior-level Latino representatives in his administration.

Donald Trump also nominated Republican Michael Waltz, a member of the House of Representatives, to serve as national security adviser in his new administration. This is a key post in the White House and does not require Senate confirmation. The adviser coordinates the work of all agencies involved in security issues, informs the president of the current situation, and implements his policies.

Waltz, 50, is a former Special Forces officer who served in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. He is a Trump ally and a sharp critic of President Joe Biden. Waltz has also held various posts in the White House and Pentagon and was elected to Congress in 2018.

Michael Waltz is known for repeatedly criticizing NATO for insufficient defense spending and is skeptical about aid to Ukraine, considering further military support inappropriate. The politician takes a tough stance on China, calling it "an existential threat."

Previously, Waltz said in an interview with the media that Trump could force Russia to the negotiating table by threatening economic sanctions and lowering oil and gas prices. He claims that the US has sufficient economic leverage over Russia. Waltz also supported Trump's idea of starting talks between Moscow and Kiev, calling it "completely reasonable."

Earlier it became known that Donald Trump wants to organize talks between Russia and Ukraine on the first day of his new presidential term. He promised that he would be able to achieve a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict through negotiations.

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