NBC News reports that Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine and Russia, was excluded from recent negotiations at the Kremlin’s request, with Russian officials questioning his suitability. Steve Witkoff has taken over this role, seeking to negotiate peace. Kellogg’s perspectives, particularly reflected in a strategy paper, suggest a need for NATO to reconsider its membership stance for Ukraine to facilitate peace talks.
In a recent report by NBC News, it has come to light that Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, was deliberately excluded from negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine, following a request from the Kremlin. This information was substantiated by both a U.S. administration official and a Russian official. Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and a decorated Vietnam veteran, was not present at two summits held in Saudi Arabia where discussions between Russian and Ukrainian officials and U.S. representatives took place.
A senior Russian official noted, “Kellogg is a former American general, too close to Ukraine. Not our kind of person, not of the caliber we are looking for”. This sentiment was echoed by an anonymous U.S. official, confirming the exclusion decision due to Kellogg’s stance on the conflict, which seeks to freeze the front line in Ukraine. Russian officials emphasized that their aim remains Ukraine’s complete withdrawal from all four regions annexed in 2022, despite inconsistencies in territorial control.
In Kellogg’s absence, Steve Witkoff, who is Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, assumes a central role in negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recently, Witkoff met with President Vladimir Putin for the second time to discuss potential resolutions. This shift came after President Trump’s public criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he labeled a “dictator without elections”. Contrarily, Kellogg described Zelensky as “the embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war”.
Kellogg’s opinions and strategies towards the conflict have been outlined in the April 2024 strategy paper “America First, Russia & Ukraine,” which he co-authored as co-chairman of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute. The document advocates for a robust U.S. military presence and strategic alliances, emphasizing that NATO members must fully share responsibilities for regional security.
The paper includes criticism of President Biden’s approach to Ukraine, suggesting that a peace agreement should be contingent upon security guarantees. Kellogg asserted that to persuade Putin to engage in peace negotiations, the U.S. and NATO leaders ought to consider postponing Ukraine’s prospective NATO membership in exchange for a comprehensive peace deal.
The exclusion of Keith Kellogg from critical negotiations concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict highlights the Kremlin’s strategic preferences for diplomatic discussions. With Steve Witkoff stepping in, the dynamics of these negotiations are shifting, indicating a nuanced diplomatic approach while facing varying perspectives from U.S. officials. As the situation evolves, the importance of unified international strategies comes to the forefront in addressing the complexities of the conflict.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
