Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's nominee for envoy to Ukraine and Russia, stated in a January 8 interview that the president-elect is "not trying to give something to Putin." Kellogg’s remarks on Fox News were a response to Trump’s earlier statement suggesting that Ukraine’s desire to join NATO provoked Vladimir Putin’s invasion. This implication contrasts with the fact that discussions about Ukraine’s NATO membership began 16 years before the war started.
Kellogg emphasized that Trump’s goal is to "save Ukraine" and ensure equitable resolutions. "He’s actually trying to save Ukraine and their sovereignty," Kellogg said, highlighting Trump's commitment to fairness in negotiations. He noted that Trump has conveyed this stance during meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and in public press conferences. This perspective is notable given Trump’s historically close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the potential impact on peace negotiations.
Kellogg discussed the heavy casualties both Ukraine and Russia have suffered and underlined Trump’s urgency to end the war swiftly. He also compared Trump’s approach to the Biden administration’s handling of the war. Kellogg has previously criticized the Biden administration, arguing that a preemptive deal delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership by a decade might have prevented Russia’s invasion. In a paper coauthored with Fred Fleitz for the America First Policy Institute, Kellogg proposed arming Ukraine on the condition that it enters peace talks with Russia.
Prior to Trump’s reelection, Kellogg coauthored a report outlining a strategy to end the Ukraine war. The plan included freezing conflict at the front lines and tying further U.S. aid to Kyiv’s willingness to negotiate with Moscow. Now, as a key figure in forthcoming peace efforts, Kellogg has expressed a goal of ending the war within 100 days. However, Trump has stated that peace talks would not commence until after his inauguration.
Kellogg’s interview followed news of his postponed trip to Kyiv. While the retired Army lieutenant general and former acting national security adviser has rescheduled the meeting, the new date and reasons for the delay remain unclear. Kellogg’s diplomatic role will be pivotal in shaping the peace process between the warring nations.
Public reactions to Kellogg’s statements have been varied. Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted on X (formerly Twitter), “Kellogg gets points for skillfully stepping around Trump’s false claims about Ukraine and NATO.” Meanwhile, Kellogg expressed gratitude for his Fox News appearance, tweeting, "There are big changes in leadership and diplomacy coming soon."
As peace talks loom, the exact timeline for negotiations remains uncertain, but Kellogg’s involvement underscores the administration’s intention to prioritize swift and strategic resolutions to the conflict.
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