Role of US envoy for Ukraine Kellogg 'very much in question': Politico
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Retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, appointed by US President Trump as his envoy for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, appears increasingly sidelined as other senior officials take the lead.
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Keith Kellogg, AFPI Co-Chair of the Center for American Security, takes note during a Senate Armed Services Committee full committee hearing on the conflict in Ukraine, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)
When US President Donald Trump appointed retired General Keith Kellogg as his envoy for the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations in January, the decision was met with relief in Kiev and across European capitals.
Kellogg is regarded by NATO-aligned Ukraine supporters, both in Washington and beyond, as a strong advocate against Russia, Politico reported on Tuesday, adding that he is seen as a committed Make America Great Again (MAGA) figure who understands the complexities of negotiating with Russia and the risks of a peace deal that could favor it.
Fast forward two months, however, some administration officials say Kellogg has been largely sidelined, the report highlighted, pointing out that other key figures—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—have taken a more prominent role in negotiations with both Ukrainian and Russian counterparts.
A prime example of this dynamic is unfolding in Saudi Arabia, where US and Ukrainian officials are currently engaged in talks. Notably absent is Kellogg himself, a situation that several Trump administration insiders and Republican foreign policy advisors cite as evidence of his diminished role.
"Kellogg’s role is very much in question," a Trump administration official told NatSec Daily.
"It’s not clear why the president won’t make a final call on this. There are already too many principals, plus Witkoff, trying to play the hero on ending the war. Kellogg is limping along, adding to the confusion about who does what."
However, other administration voices refute the claim that Kellogg is being pushed aside. "President Trump has utilized the talents of multiple senior administration officials to assist in bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution. Gen. Kellogg remains a valued part of the team, especially as it relates to talks with our European allies," said White House National Security spokesperson James Hewitt.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly further emphasized that "accomplishing the president’s clear directives to end this war is Gen. Kellogg’s only concern."
The implications of Kellogg’s diminished role remain unclear, Politico said, noting that some administration officials and Republican figures close to the White House interpret it as a sign that Trump’s administration is shifting toward a more skeptical stance on continued US support for Ukraine.
Yet, others within the administration push back on this notion, asserting that Kellogg remains integral to US strategy. They highlight that both Rubio and Waltz, who recently secured a major potential breakthrough on an interim ceasefire plan in Saudi Arabia, are strong Russia hawks and continue to enjoy the president’s full confidence, the report mentioned.
Politico cited a source close to Kellogg as noting that he maintains direct communication with Trump, "and that’s who he works for and he doesn’t work for anybody else."
The source also pointed out Kellogg’s longstanding relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which predates that of most officials currently involved in negotiations.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations last week, Kellogg reinforced his ongoing involvement, stating that he and Witkoff’s team maintain close coordination. "Steve's a great guy, and we’ve got a really good relationship. And my deputy, John Coale, and Morgan Ortagus, we’re working well together."
Read more: Trump hopes for Russian agreement on Ukraine ceasefire
