Trump has chosen his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia; what’s his stance on the war?

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he has selected retired General Keith Kellogg to serve as his “special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.” Trump announced this on Truth Social.

The future American president said that Kellogg, who will become special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, “has a distinguished military and business career,” including experience in national security.

“Together, we will ensure PEACE THROUGH POWER and make America and the world safe again!” Trump wrote.

A retired lieutenant general and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Kellogg joined Trump’s team as a national security adviser in Vice President Mike Pence’s office.

Keith Kellogg’s position on Ukraine

Currently, Kellogg works at the pro-Trump think tank America First Policy Institute, where he has put forward various proposals for what the national security policy of the future Trump administration might look like.

Kellogg contributed to a “peace plan” to end the war in Ukraine that the America First Policy Institute published last summer.

If Ukraine refuses to hold peace talks, Trump could cut off military aid, and he would warn Moscow that any refusal to negotiate would lead to increased support for Kyiv. The peace talks themselves should lead to a de facto freeze in the current front line.

To push Russia to participate in the negotiations, the United States and other NATO countries will postpone the issue of Ukraine’s membership for a long time in exchange for a “broad agreement with security guarantees.”

Kellogg also proposed to punish NATO member states that spend less than 2% of GDP on defense by withdrawing their collective defense guarantees under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.

Zelenskyy praised the concept “peace through strength”

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the idea of any concessions to Russia is unacceptable for Ukraine, and he considers it suicide for Europe. He added that Russia’s war has intensified significantly, as North Korea is now waging war in Europe on Russia’s side.

At the other hand, Mr Zelenskyy said, the concept of “peace through strength” has repeatedly proved its realism and effectiveness.

Zelenskyy also praised Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach while congratulating him on the election victory.

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” he wrote on his X account.

Ukraine’s President added that he was looking forward to greeting Trump in person and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the U.S.