Beattie is an anti-establishment media figure who has led the right-wing news aggregator Revolver News. A critic of American foreign policy, including funding for Ukraine, his reported appointment has prompted social media users to voice concern about what it signifies for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.

President Donald Trump says his administration has already had “very serious” discussions with Russia about its war in Ukraine and that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon take “significant” action toward ending the grinding conflict.

President Trump warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine quickly, or else face “high levels of taxes, tariffs and sanctions.” Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday