Kurt Volker is an American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to NATO under President George W. Bush. He later led the McCain Institute for International Leadership and briefly acted as President Donald Trump's Special Representative for Ukraine until resigning in 2019.
December 27, 1964: Kurt Volker's Birth
Kurt Douglas Volker was born on December 27, 1964.
1964: Birth and Early Life
Kurt Volker was born in 1964 in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
1984: Graduation from Temple University
Volker graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in International Affairs in 1984.
1987: Master's Degree from The George Washington University
In 1987, Volker received an M.A. in International Relations from The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.
1988: Joining the United States Department of State
In 1988, Volker began his career as a Foreign Service Officer in the United States Department of State.
1994: Service at the US Embassy in Budapest
From 1994 to 1997, Volker served at the US Embassy in Budapest.
1997: Conclusion of Service at the US Embassy in Budapest
In 1997, Volker concluded his service at the US Embassy in Budapest.
1997: Legislative Fellowship with Senator John McCain
Volker served as a legislative fellow for Senator John McCain from 1997 to 1998.
1998: First Secretary at the US Mission to NATO
In 1998, Volker took on the role of first secretary at the US mission to NATO.
1999: Deputy Director in NATO Secretary-General's Office
Volker became the deputy director of NATO Secretary-General George Robertson's private office in 1999, a position he held until 2001.
2001: Conclusion of Role in NATO Secretary-General's Office
In 2001, Volker finished his term as deputy director in NATO Secretary-General George Robertson's private office.
2002: Overseeing Preparations for the 2002 Prague Summit
Volker was in charge of US preparations for the 2002 Prague Summit.
July 2005: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
In July 2005, Volker assumed the role of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
July 2, 2008: Appointment as US Permanent Representative to NATO
President George W. Bush appointed Volker as the US Permanent Representative to NATO on July 2, 2008.
July 2008: Conclusion of Role as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Volker's time as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs ended in July 2008.
May 15, 2009: End of Tenure as US Permanent Representative to NATO
Volker's term as US Permanent Representative to NATO ended on May 15, 2009.
September 2009: Senior Fellow at Center for Transatlantic Relations
In September 2009, Volker became a Senior Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
October 2009: Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council
Volker assumed the role of senior advisor at the Atlantic Council in October 2009.
2009: Entering the Private Sector
Volker transitioned to the private sector in 2009, becoming an independent director at The Wall Street Fund Inc.
2010: Senior Advisor at McLarty Associates
Volker started working as a senior advisor at global consulting firm McLarty Associates in 2010.
2011: Leaving McLarty Associates
Volker concluded his role as a senior advisor at McLarty Associates in 2011.
2011: Joining BGR Group
Volker joined Washington-based lobbying firm and investment bank BGR Group in 2011.
2012: Executive Director at McCain Institute for International Leadership
Volker became executive director of Arizona State University's McCain Institute for International Leadership upon its launch in 2012.
2012: Leaving The Wall Street Fund Inc and Evercore Wealth Management
Volker ended his roles at The Wall Street Fund Inc and Evercore Wealth Management Macro Opportunity Fund in 2012.
2013: Joining Capital Guardian Funds Trust
In 2013, Volker joined the board of directors at Capital Guardian Funds Trust.
July 7, 2017: Appointment as US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appointed Volker as the US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations on July 7, 2017.
June 2019: Marriage to Ia Meurmishvili
Kurt Volker married Georgian journalist Ia Meurmishvili in June 2019.
September 2019: Whistleblower Complaint and Resignations
In September 2019, a whistleblower complaint alleged that Volker had been instructed to influence Ukrainian President Zelensky. This led to investigations and the resignations of several officials.
September 26, 2019: Release of Whistleblower Complaint
On September 26, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee released the whistleblower complaint, which mentioned Volker's involvement in advising Ukrainian leadership.
September 27, 2019: Volker's Resignation
Kurt Volker resigned from his position as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine on September 27, 2019.
October 3, 2019: Closed Testimony to House Committees
Volker gave a closed-door testimony to House committees investigating the Trump impeachment inquiry on October 3, 2019.
October 4, 2019: Release of Prepared Statement
Volker's prepared statement from his closed testimony was released to the public on October 4, 2019.
November 19, 2019: Public Testimony and Statement Correction
During his public testimony on November 19, 2019, Volker corrected previous statements he made in the closed hearing regarding investigations.
November 21, 2019: David Holmes' Testimony and "The Three Amigos"
On November 21, 2019, David Holmes, a US diplomat, testified that Volker, Sondland, and Perry, known as "The Three Amigos," were involved in the Ukraine campaign.
2019: Resignation from McCain Institute
Volker resigned from his position at the McCain Institute for International Leadership in 2019.
June 2021: Representing US Investors in American University Kyiv
Ukrainian media reported in June 2021 that Volker was representing US investors involved in co-founding American University Kyiv.