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Kurt VolkerAmerican career diplomat
Date of Birth: 27.12.1964
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Kurt Volker: A Career Diplomat and Special Envoy to Ukraine
- Career in the Foreign Service
- Ambassador to NATO
- Post-Government Career
- Special Representative for Ukraine
- Anti-Russian Stance
- Negotiations with Russia
- Support for Ukraine
- Resettlement of Donbas
- Expansion of Mandate
- Continued Advocacy for Ukraine
Kurt Volker: A Career Diplomat and Special Envoy to Ukraine
Early Life and EducationKurt Volker was born on December 27, 1964, in the United States. He graduated from the School of International Service and George Washington University.
Career in the Foreign Service
Volker began his career in 1986 as an analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1988, he joined the foreign service of the U.S. Department of State. He served as counsel in Senator John McCain's team from 1997 to 1998.
In 1998, Volker became First Secretary at the U.S. Mission to NATO. From 1999 to 2001, he was Deputy Director of the Private Office of NATO Secretary General George Robertson.
During the 2000s, Volker held executive positions at the National Security Council, overseeing preparations for U.S. involvement in NATO summits in Prague (2002) and Istanbul (2004). In July 2005, he became Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Ambassador to NATO
Volker was appointed U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO in July 2008, succeeding Victoria Nuland. He served in this role until 2009.
Post-Government Career
After leaving government service, Volker joined the Washington D.C. consulting and investment firm BGR Group in 2011. In 2012, he became Executive Director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.
Special Representative for Ukraine
On July 7, 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appointed Kurt Volker as the State Department's Special Representative for Ukraine. Volker was tasked with facilitating negotiations to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Anti-Russian Stance
Volker is a vocal critic of Russia's actions in Ukraine. He has repeatedly called for stricter sanctions against Russia and has been skeptical of the "Normandy Format" peace process.
Negotiations with Russia
Volker has held several rounds of talks with Russian Presidential Aide Vladislav Surkov to discuss a potential UN peacekeeping mission in Donbas. However, significant differences remain between the U.S. and Russian positions on the issue.
Support for Ukraine
Volker has consistently supported U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. He has also pushed for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements and urged Russia to withdraw its forces from eastern Ukraine.
Resettlement of Donbas
Volker believes that the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics should be dismantled as they are not recognized by the Ukrainian Constitution. He has also supported the idea of imposing personal sanctions on individuals who visit Crimea, which the U.S. considers to be occupied Ukrainian territory.
Expansion of Mandate
In May 2018, it was reported that Volker's mandate had been expanded, granting him broader authority over U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
Continued Advocacy for Ukraine
Volker has continued to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. He has maintained that Russia must fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Agreements and that Ukraine has done its part.
