Choice of general may concern Kyiv after he co-authored plan that could give Russia one fifth of its territory
Keith Kellogg is seen as a Trump loyalist and held several positions in his first Cabinet Credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
Joe Barnes 27 November 2024 8:47pm GMT
Donald Trump’s pick for special envoy to Ukraine once proposed cutting military aid to the country to force Volodymyr Zelensky to the negotiating table.
Keith Kellogg, 80, who served as chief of staff for the White House National Security Council during the Republican’s first term, will play a leading role in resolving the conflict.
Under a proposal presented to the president-elect in June, Lt Gen Kellogg suggested halting weapon supplies to Kyiv if the war-torn capital refused to engage in peace talks.
Separately, Russia would be warned that not negotiating would result in increased military support for Ukraine.
To further encourage Russian president Vladimir Putin, the US could agree to suspending the possibility of Nato membership for Kyiv.
Lt Gen Kellogg’s plan, which was co-authored alongside former Trump aide Fred Fleitz, called for the conflict to be frozen along its current front lines.
As it stands, that would leave Russia in control of almost one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
His paper reads: “Specifically, it would mean a formal US policy to seek a ceasefire 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 ceasefire or peace agreement.
“Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia.”
It is unclear whether this plan will be the one used by Mr Trump to end the war, something he has promised to do before his inauguration on Jan 20.
Writing on his Truth Social website, the president-elect said: “I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
“Keith has led a distinguished military and business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first administration. He was with me right from the beginning!
“Together, we will secure peace through strength, and make America, and the world, safe again!”
The appointment is likely to spark concerns in Kyiv and could potentially cause friction between the US and its Nato allies, if Washington opts to proceed with Lt Gen Kellogg’s outlined strategy to end the conflict.
The retired general appeared to beat Richard Grenell, the former acting director of national intelligence, to the position of special envoy, according to media reports.
It is likely that Mr Trump picked Lt Gen Kellogg because of his loyalty.
Like the president-elect, the retired general has expressed reservations over continued US support for Ukraine in a war they think the country might lose.
He was an ever-present adviser on security to the Republican during his first term, even as a succession of top aides were sacked.
Mr Trump once called him “one of our great generals”. His military experience dates back to the Vietnam War, where he won several awards for bravery.
After retiring from the military in 2003, Lt Gen Kellogg went to work for a number of private defence contractors.
He became acting national security adviser in 2017 after Mr Trump sacked Michael Flynn for lying about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US.
Lt Gen Kellogg also served as a security adviser to Mike Pence, the former vice-president.
Like many of Mr Trump’s latest administration hires, the retired general has spent recent years at the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute.
Ukraine policy is now in the hands of two pro-ruZZia gerontocrats. What could possibly go wrong?
Selected comments.
Starting with a filthy troll:
Ealing Ealing
This is just another Cabinet level appointment (like Gabbard, like Kennedy, like Vance) who thinks that the conflict is wrong and unwinnable. They all believe Putin was pushed to beyond the brink after the east of Ukraine had been shelled by Kiev for 8 long years before Putin invaded. The neocon supporters (and profiteers) of the MIC are on the run. 60 days left to escalate the pointless slaughter and make the last few bucks. Then the cash spigot dries up. Good.
Simon Reeve
Reply to Ealing Ealing
Ha! No one believes that blatant Russian propaganda anymore (if ever), you’re just embarrassing yourself spewing that in 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinformation_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine#Donbas_genocide_allegations
Ealing Ealing
Reply to Simon Reeve
It is astonishing to me that despite all the evidence people are still fooled by the same nonsense that you have swallowed hook, line and sinker. You believe the rubbish about the Zelenski regime being freedom loving and Democratic (no elections will take place under Zelenski and all opposition has been silenced) and ignore the endemic and vast, industrial scale corruption across the entire Government complex.
As Svitlana Morenets (a staunch Ukrainian commentator in the Spectator) points out, the Ukrainian army is right now crumbling on all front due to mass desertions, inadequate training, and draft dodging on an monumental scale.
History will show that Ukrainians fought bravely, but were ultimately beaten, not by a superior Russian military, although it was, but by the appalling greed and corruption endemic in the country. Idiots will try to argue that “more money from the West” could have staved off defeat for longer, but much of the cash has been spent on villas in southern Europe. You, and the others of your ilk, will always believe that anyone who wishes the war to end is a Russian stooge. I suspect most Ukrainians are now in that category.
David R Crawford
Reply to Ealing Ealing
“but much of the cash has been spent on villas in southern Europe”
You can of course provide us with the addresses of these villas to prove the veracity of your post. Thank you.
David R Crawford
Reply to Ealing Ealing
“8 long years before Putin invaded”
Putin invaded in 2014 and performed his own shelling of Ukraine. Putin’s Proxies have been killing Ukrainian civilians since 2014.
Trevor Smallwood
Reply to Ealing Ealing
‘pushed to beyond the brink’….
Surely you mean made a terrible miscalculation and now hopes and prays the Americans will save him.
Old Vlad was planning to steal Ukraine and all its assets but the Ukrainians stopped him.
Remember Hostomel 🇺🇦🇺🇦
Excellent comment from Simon Reeve:
I wonder if this old brave and “honourable” Lt. General thinks that America would have “honoured” the Budapest Memorandum that they signed in 1994 according to his plan? That is, is his “plan” consistent with when the USA assured Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for them handing over their massive nuclear arsenal of over 1,700 nuclear warheads ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum ).
Just because Vladolf Putler betrays pretty much every treaty Russia has ever signed doesn’t mean that we can betray it too. Hopefully our honour is worth more than Russia’s… 😒
JG
Jonathan Green
7 HRS AGO
Reply to Simon Reeve
As you know:
“[T]he United States publicly maintains that the Budapest Memorandum is not legally binding”, calling it a “political commitment.
…
According to Stephen MacFarlane, a professor of international relations, “[the Memorandum] gives signatories justification if they take action, but it does not force anyone to act in Ukraine.”
…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum
My understanding is that Putin’s position is that “the Maidan movement and government change radically changed Ukraine into a new entity, toward which Russia has no engagement ”
So, like the US, Russia does not regard the Budapest Memorandum as binding.
Regrettably, in the rules-based international order US officials are so fond of referencing, the overarching principle is we make up the rules as we go along. So my guess is that the US has probably broken its word to Russia more often than vice-versa? Do you have a count? Nah, I didn’t think so.
Trevor Smallwood
Reply to Jonathan Green
Excuses excuses…again.
‘My understanding’ is Vlad is such a morally corrupt criminal no one is obliged to accord Russia any consideration.
Simon Reeve
Reply to Jonathan Green
Ok mate, whatever lets you sleep at night. Do you know what the word “honour” means? I think it’s spelt “honor” in the US but I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to mean the same thing… 🤨
Matt Forster
I believe the Ukrainian constitution (quite reasonably) prohibits the government from giving away territory . Also I don’t see how any US administration can actually force the Ukrainians to give up their resistance against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of their country. Nothing is stopping them from fighting on on their own with weapons bought on the open market using the massive funds provided by European partners and kit supplied by their loyal friends in Europe.
One meeting of such friends was held in Sweden today where the Nordic, Polish and Baltic governments pledged continued and increased support. Sweden and Denmark alone are providing several billions of pounds each year over several years for investments i Ukrainian arms production and arms purchases. And Sweden are ready to hand over 20-25 of its Gripen fighter jets as soon as the US gives the green light.
Oleksii Goncharenko has a more positive view on Kellogg. From his FB page :
“A word about Kellogg.
Among all the possible candidates, his destination looks like a good story.
Kellogg is a kind of “hawk” about Russia. Often appeared on Fox News criticizing Biden for limiting military aid to Ukraine and more.
Keeping an eye on.”