In a largely symbolic move, President Joe Biden announced he elevated Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns to a Cabinet-level position, an acknowledgment of Burns’ contributions to the White House operation, NBC News reports.
A career diplomat who has served both Democratic and Republican administrations (though not Trump’s), Burns served as ambassador to Russia starting in the latter part of the GW Bush administration before becoming Undersecretary of State under Hillary Clinton.
He flew to Moscow in November 2021 to warn his Russian counterparts that the US saw the signs of a Russian buildup to invade Ukraine, and that the West would institute crippling consequences. Based on the reaction he got from the Secretary of the Kremlin’s security council, upon his return to the US, he told Biden that Putin had already made up his mind to invade. His insights into Russia persuaded the administration to release intelligence showing the Kremlin’s intent to convince the governments and population of Western nations of the threat.