Trump is returning to power with his team. Who are they and what are their views on Ukraine?
On January 20, Donald Trump will become the new president of the USA. He has already finalized the members of his team.
"Telegraph" reports on the key positions Trump has filled. These individuals will begin their roles in just a few days.
9 Vice President — JD Vance
0 He represents a faction of Republicans who take a critical and pragmatic approach to assisting Ukraine, seeing no urgent need for U.S. involvement. Just days before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, JD Vance stated: "I have to be honest with you, I don’t care what happens to Ukraine one way or another."
Later, he criticized U.S. President Joe Biden for providing aid to Kyiv. Vance also believes that Ukraine may be the most corrupt country in the world.
"I admire the brave Ukrainians… But let’s not confuse the courage of the Ukrainian military with the fact that they have the most corrupt leadership and government in Europe and possibly the most corrupt leadership anywhere in the world," he said in April 2023.
U.S. Secretary of State — Marco Rubio
1 The 53-year-old senator from Florida has a reputation as one of the most determined advocates for a tough foreign policy within Trump's team. He consistently supports a strong approach in relations with countries like Iran, China, and Cuba.
However, his views on the Ukraine issue raise concerns. Rubio not only voted against a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine but also insists on prioritizing peace negotiations over restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity. He believes that diplomatic resolution is the only viable way to end the conflict.
Rubio will be the first Secretary of State of Latino descent. Experts believe that Trump's choice aims to strengthen support among the Latino community in the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of Defense — Pete Hegseth
2 Trump announced the nomination of Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense on Truth Social on November 12. He is a proponent of the "America First" stance. The former National Guard officer has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo.
For the past eight years, Pete Hegseth has been working at Fox News, a channel known for its loyalty to Republicans. He is a commentator on all major programs.
In the early days of the full-scale war, Hegseth labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal seeking to restore the USSR and advocated for expedited assistance to Kyiv. At the same time, he described the belief that Russia might attack other European countries after Ukraine as "inflated."
U.S. Director of National Intelligence — Tulsi Gabbard
3 Until October 2022, Tulsi Gabbard was a member of the Democratic Party but later labeled it an "elite cabal of warmongers" and switched to the Republicans. She claimed that Ukraine "is not worth defending" against Russia, as it allegedly is not a democratic country.
"Warmongers claim we must defend Ukraine because it is a 'democracy,' but they are lying. Ukraine is really not a democracy at all," she said shortly before the invasion.
Additionally, the future head of U.S. national intelligence accused the sitting president, Joe Biden, of allegedly pushing Putin to invade in order to impose sanctions against him. In 2022, the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine labeled Gabbard as a spreader of Russian disinformation.
White House Chief of Staff – Susan Wiles
4 For the first time in U.S. history, a woman holds this position. 67-year-old Wiles is considered a key figure in Trump’s successful election campaign.
She managed to organize a disciplined campaign for Trump, leading many Democrats to believe until the end that Trump was not doing well in this regard. Wiles does not have experience working in the federal government but has close ties to Trump and understands his thoughts and objectives.
Wiles has over 40 years of experience in politics. She has worked for presidents, mayors, governors, and congress members, leading various political campaigns in the U.S. in 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2020. She has been working with Trump since 2016 and significantly contributed to his victories in both elections.
National Security Advisor — Mike Waltz
5 A congressman from Florida and a veteran of special operations forces. Initially supportive of aid to Ukraine, he even visited Kyiv as part of congressional delegations. However, in April 2024, he voted against an additional $60 billion funding. He stated that "the era of blank checks for Ukraine from Congress is over" and emphasized that Europe must do more.
At the same time, he criticized the White House for its slow and untimely support for Ukraine, as well as for insufficient sanctions against Russia's energy sector. Mike Waltz believes that if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he will not stop and will try to drag NATO countries into the war.
U.S. Special Representative to Ukraine — Keith Kellogg
6 In April 2024, Keith Kellogg and another former official from Trump’s first administration, Fred Flights, published their plan for ending the war in Ukraine. It states that the U.S. will continue to arm Ukraine if it agrees to negotiate with Russia.
There should be enough weapons to deter the Kremlin from attempting to invade Ukraine again. The increase in aid should serve as leverage to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
The plan also included partial lifting of sanctions on Russia and normalizing relations. Ukraine was advised to postpone its NATO membership plans in exchange for a comprehensive peace agreement with numerous security guarantees. Ukraine would not be forced to relinquish territories, but returning them would be suggested through diplomatic means.
Department of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk
7 The billionaire and inventor supported Trump during the election campaign. After his victory, the newly elected president announced plans to create a new agency – the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be responsible for reducing budget expenditures and restructuring federal agencies. It will be led by Elon Musk and American conservative Vivek Ramaswamy.
Musk has often expressed sympathy for Russia. He has also mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, particularly ridiculing his statement that Ukraine is an independent country that cannot be forced to "sit down and listen" at the negotiating table.
Trump's Special Envoys in Hollywood
Additionally, Trump appointed well-known actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as his special envoys in Hollywood. Their task is to restore Hollywood to its former greatness, as the future head of the White House stated that during Biden's presidency, it "lost many clients due to foreign countries."
"These three very talented individuals will be my eyes and ears, and I will fulfill what they suggest. It will be like the United States of America itself, a Golden Age for Hollywood!", Trump wrote on his social media, Truth Social.
Previously, "Telegraph" reported that Trump's advisors support the idea of excluding Ukraine's NATO membership from the agenda and freezing the conflict along current front lines. Meanwhile, the exact contours of the new president's peace plan are still being actively discussed.