Jon Huntsman accepts nomination of Russian Federation ambassadorship

Two unnamed sources told Politico that Huntsman was offered the key post at the end of last week. If eyebrows were raised, it was to acknowledge that Trump had, in uncharacteristic fashion, appointed not only a qualified person to this sensitive government position, but also a former opponent who had publicly tangled with him in the past.

The Republican faces a tough task amid allegations that the Trump White House has extensive ties to Moscow, a fact that has already taken victims in the new cabinet.

Trump has been highly critical of Huntsman Jr.’s diplomacy in the past. Trump likewise claimed that China “did a major number on us” during Huntsman’s time as ambassador. He resigned a little more than a year into his second term to become ambassador to China.

Huntsman is now chairman of the Atlantic Council, an global affairs think tank.

His selection comes at a time when Russian Federation occupies a highly charged place in American politics. The Atlantic Council is due to publish a document next week on how the United States should “constrain” Russian Federation.

“My impression is that Huntsman is a seasoned statesman who would bring a lot of talent to the role”, Matthew Rojansky, director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, told FP.

“We have no intention to meddle in these internal affairs”, he said.

Unlike some other members of Mr Trump’s team, however, Mr Huntsman is not on record airing strong opinions about Russian Federation and it is unclear whether he share’s the president’s keenness to strike a “deal” with Vladimir Putin. After endorsing Trump in April 2016, he called for him to withdraw from the race in October 2016, following the release of an “Access Hollywood” video that showed Trump making sexually demeaning comments about women.

“Our diplomats are weak: @JonHuntsman’s China policy proves why we need businesmen (sic) to negotiate against China”, he posted in 2011, after the diplomat had left his post.

Some people close to Huntsman recently hinted that he might seek a Senate seat for Utah.