President Trump announced retired Gen. Keith Kellogg will shift his focus to Ukraine – narrowing his special envoy role to exclude his involvement with Russia as previously planned.
Kellogg, who was initially appointed as Trump’s Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, will now serve as Special Envoy to Ukraine, the commander in chief said in a Truth Social post Saturday afternoon.
“I am pleased to inform you that General Keith Kellogg has been appointed Special Envoy to Ukraine,” Trump, 78, wrote.
“General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President Zelenskyy, and Ukraine leadership. He knows them well, and they have a very good working relationship together. Congratulations to General Kellogg!”
Although Trump did not explicitly say Kellogg would be removed from negotiations with Russia, the highly decorated general was recently sidelined from top-level peace talks, including Tuesday in Saudi Arabia where US officials and Ukraine agreed to a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin nixed that deal Thursday, however, and demanded the West stop arming Kyiv, along with other conditions, before the Kremlin would consider such an arrangement.
The three-star general thanked Trump for his new role.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by President Trump’s confidence in appointing me as Special Envoy to Ukraine,” Kellogg, 80, wrote on X.
“I have been privileged to have known @realdondaldtrump since 2015, and he will END THIS WAR. It is an honor to serve our great nation and advance the vital interests of the United States. America First!”
The retired Army lieutenant general co-authored a research paper last April calling for the US to use military aid to Kyiv as leverage to push peace talks with the Kremlin.
The paper called for “a formal U.S. policy to bring the war to a conclusion.”
“Specifically, it would mean a formal U.S. policy to seek a cease-fire and negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict. The United States would continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses to ensure Russia will make no further advances and will not attack again after a cease-fire or peace agreement.
“Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia,” the paper said.
Kellogg served in a number of positions during Trump’s first term, including as national security adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
With Post wires.
