Trump's Ukraine envoy proposes cutting weapons to force peace talks
3 Min Read
Keith Kellogg unveiled a controversial peace plan that proposes halting US weapons aid to Ukraine if it avoids negotiations, while pressuring Russia with increased military support if it resists peace talks.
-
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, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)
Trump's envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, co-authored a contentious peace proposal earlier this year with former CIA analyst Fred Fleitz.
The document, titled America First, Russia & Ukraine, proposes halting US weapons deliveries to Ukraine if it refuses to enter peace talks, while escalating military support if Russia resists negotiations. The plan also suggests delaying or abandoning Ukraine's NATO membership as a bargaining chip to bring Moscow to the table.
In presenting the plan, Kellogg and Fleitz argue that the Biden administration's "unserious and incoherent" foreign policy, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan and strained relations with allies like Saudi Arabia and "Israel", created conditions for the war. They contend that the US should prioritize diplomacy over sanctions and military confrontation.
"An America First approach could have prevented the invasion," the document claims, criticizing what it describes as the Biden administration's "hostile policy" that strengthened a Russia-China-Iran alliance.
Read more: Trump's new term targets Iran, backs 'Israel', confronts China head-on
The proposal acknowledges the difficulty of convincing Ukraine to accept a deal that may not restore all its territory or hold Russia accountable for the destruction. "Our concern is that this has become a war of attrition that's going to kill a whole generation of young men," Fleitz said in a recent interview.
Push for Ukraine Peace Plan
Trump reportedly responded favorably to the plan, saying, “I'm the only one who can get the war stopped. It should have never started in the first place." He emphasized that European nations should contribute more aid, echoing calls from Republican leaders like JD Vance to reduce the US financial burden.
Kellogg's appointment also highlights his extensive military and political background. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served as National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence and Acting National Security Advisor to Trump after Michael Flynn's resignation. His role during the January 6 Capitol riots, where he reportedly insisted on keeping Pence in the building to certify the election results, has further bolstered his profile as a staunch Trump loyalist.
The announcement comes as the Biden administration rushes to transfer more weapons to Ukraine before the end of Biden's term. Recent reports suggest considerations of supplying US-made missiles, which prompted sharp criticism from Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled discussions of nuclear armament for Ukraine as "absolutely irresponsible."
Critics of the Kellogg-Fleitz plan question its practicality and moral implications. They argue it pressures Ukraine into negotiations while failing to address Russia's accountability for the war. Supporters, however, view it as a pragmatic solution to end a costly and escalating conflict.
