Senator Marco Rubio will be appointed Secretary of State, and Congressman Mike Waltz will take on the role of National Security Advisor under President-elect Donald Trump, according to sources close to the administration.
Both Rubio and Waltz, Republicans from Florida, are known for their outspoken views on U.S. foreign policy, especially in relation to Ukraine.
Rubio has been a vocal critic of continued aid to Ukraine, casting a dissenting vote in April against a Senate bill allocating new funds to Kyiv. Recently, he argued for ending the conflict, which he described as having “reached a deadlock” with the potential to devastate Ukraine further. Rubio emphasized the need for negotiations to resolve the situation, echoing these views during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the U.S.
In contrast, Congressman Mike Waltz visited Ukraine in the summer of 2022, advocating for additional U.S. military support. Yet, by September 2023, he expressed reluctance toward further aid unless Europe shared a greater portion of the financial burden, particularly criticizing countries like Germany for contributing less than the U.S.
“U.S. military aid should depend on European burden-sharing and equal European assistance in the future,” Waltz remarked, also urging a focus on pressing domestic challenges, such as managing the rise in migrant numbers at home.
Waltz is known for his emphasis on bolstering U.S. military readiness, especially regarding China’s growing influence. In October, he suggested a reassessment of U.S. priorities, noting that ongoing support to Ukraine might divert crucial resources from other strategic regions. “Is it in America’s interest (to continue aiding Ukraine)?” he asked. “Are we going to invest the time, money, and resources that we currently need so much in the Pacific?”
