Whitaker, who has a background in law enforcement, has not been outspoken about his positions on foreign policy.

Whitaker has little to no experience in security or foreign policy, both of which are central to the NATO role.

After a brief stint in Trump's first administration, the president-elect wants the conservative firebrand to become the next U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The Kremlin said on Friday that a strike on Ukraine using a newly developed hypersonic ballistic missile was designed as a message to the West that Moscow will respond to their "reckless" decisions and actions in support of Ukraine.