Trump Names Keith Kellogg as Special Envoy to Ukraine and Russia
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Keith Kellogg, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former national security adviser, as his special envoy to Ukraine and Russia in his upcoming administration. Kellogg is expected to play a central role in efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, provided both parties agree to talks.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the conflict on his first day back in office, though he has yet to outline a specific strategy for achieving this.
Kellogg’s Vision for Peace
Kellogg has long advocated for decisive negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Speaking on Fox News earlier this year, where he has been a paid contributor since 2022, Kellogg described the war as “the biggest thing” Trump will need to address in his second term.
His proposals are detailed in a policy paper co-authored with Fred Fleitz, another former Trump administration official, and published by the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank. The paper, released in April, called for:
- A formal U.S. policy to seek a ceasefire and negotiated settlement.
- Conditioning U.S. aid to Ukraine on Kyiv’s willingness to participate in peace talks.
- Providing increased aid to Ukraine if Russia refuses to engage in negotiations.
- Temporarily delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership to encourage Russian participation.
- Establishing a long-term security framework for Ukraine’s defense.
When presenting the plan to Trump in June, Kellogg noted that while Trump did not fully endorse every detail, the feedback was positive. “I’m not claiming he agreed with it or every word of it, but we were pleased to get the feedback we did,” Kellogg told Reuters.
Reactions from Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine has maintained a diplomatic tone regarding Trump’s stance on the conflict. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently praised Trump’s approach, saying it clearly set a goal—ending the war—without delving into specifics.
“President Trump will undoubtedly be driven by one goal: to project his strength and leadership,” Kuleba told the BBC.
Following his election victory, Trump held a 30-minute phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who congratulated him on his win. A source within Ukraine’s presidential office described the call as “good” but noted it was not a detailed policy discussion.
Trump has also spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Washington Post, Trump urged Putin to avoid escalating the conflict and referenced the significant U.S. military presence in Europe.
Putin congratulated Trump on his victory, acknowledging Trump’s expressed desire to restore relations with Russia and help end the Ukrainian crisis. The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s claim that he could resolve the war within 24 hours but stated it would wait for concrete policy details.
Challenges Ahead
While Kellogg’s appointment as special envoy typically requires Senate confirmation, the broader challenge lies in bridging the deep divides between Ukraine and Russia. Trump’s ability to enact a peace plan will depend on his administration’s capacity to navigate these complexities while balancing U.S. strategic interests.
The U.S. remains the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, including advanced weapons and financial assistance. Kellogg’s role will be pivotal in determining how this support is leveraged to bring the warring sides to the negotiating table.
With expectations high and global attention fixed on his approach, Trump’s promises to end the war will be one of the most closely scrutinized elements of his second presidency.
