TIRANA – US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell is planning to step down in coming weeks after serving in this position for more than two years, according to reports by German media.
Grennel is expected to be replaced by the deputy chief of mission at the embassy, Robin Quinville, on an interim basis.
The US Consulate General in Germany has not made any comments on the reports.
“It is our policy not to comment on travel or schedules, but Ambassador Grenell has continued to actively engage on Administration priorities on Germany while serving as the Acting Director of National Intelligence,” Reuters quotes a spokesperson to say.
“As we said when he was appointed to that role, we continue to aggressively pursue key policy objectives as part of a whole-of-government approach.”
As a matter of fact Grenell, acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), announced that he may resign ambassadorship if the Senate approves another nominee US Congressman John Ratcliffe for this position, reported Daily Wire.
“Yes, it’s true. We were planning on coming home soon,” Grenell confirmed to the Daily Wire, which reported he was planning on leaving the post in the spring but had agreed to stay on until a permanent DNI could be confirmed. Grenell informed the White House of his decision after Ratcliffe was re-nominated last week.
On Thursday, the US Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe to replace Grenell as DNI. He will be sworn in on Tuesday.
Grenell has drawn a lot of criticism by German authorities, politicians and media for his controversial statements during his tenure as Ambassador to Berlin. If he resigns as ambassador, Grenell’s only remaining post will be that of President Trump’s envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations. It’s not clear if he will continue to keep this duty.
Grenell’s push for a Kosovo-Serbia deal has been considered as undue pressure by international relations experts. Many believe that his pressure for a quick Kosovo-Serbia deal before the US presidential election led to the toppling of the Kurti government in Kosovo amidst the coronavirus crisis.
The eventual deal which would include land swap seems to be strongly opposed by the Kosovo people. Grenell’s closest collaborators, President Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucic have been accused of having reached a secret agreement on such a deal.
French and German foreign ministers, as well as the EU’s special envoy for the dialogue have excluded quick fixes and land swap. With his power diminishing, it’s not clear what Grenell’s resignation as Ambassador to Berlin could mean for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Grenell’s next possible moves within the Trump administration or outside are unclear, Bloomberg news wire said on Sunday./ argumentum.al
