President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday the creation of a position of special envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, entrusted to former lieutenant general Keith Kellogg. This Vietnam War veteran, who served as national security adviser to Mike Pence, is a trusted figure for Trump.
“I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. He's been with me from the start! Together we will achieve peace through strength and make America and the world safe again! “wrote Donald Trump on Truth Social.
A mission to end the conflict
Very critical of the billions of dollars released by the United States to support Ukraine, Donald Trump promised to resolve the war between kyiv and Moscow even before his inauguration in January 2025. Although he did not detail his plan , the appointment of Keith Kellogg suggests a different approach from that of the Biden administration.
Indeed, according to Fox News, Keith Kellogg co-wrote a strategic note last April which offers insights into his vision. He explained that American military aid should be conditional on Ukraine's participation in negotiations with Russia. Then, he spoke of suspending Ukraine's membership in NATO for an extended period in order to encourage Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks.
The same philosophy as Donald Trump
Keith Kellogg shares Donald Trump's philosophy of “peace through strength”, but he has also expressed concern about escalating international tensions. “We are on the brink of World War III,” he recently warned, emphasizing the urgency of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Find our file on the war in Ukraine
Little known to the general public, Keith Kellogg briefly headed the National Security Council at the White House during Donald Trump's first term. He is currently co-chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), an influential think tank within the Trumpist movement.
