Keith Kellogg, a retired American general and former national security official, has been excluded from high-level diplomatic talks concerning the Ukraine-Russia war due to concerns from the Kremlin about his pro-Ukraine stance, according to reports from NBC News.
Kellogg, who was appointed by President Donald Trump as a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, was notably absent from two recent summits in Saudi Arabia—one with Russian officials and another with Ukrainian representatives—despite the negotiations falling under his jurisdiction.
When Trump announced Kellogg’s nomination in November, he emphasized their shared commitment to “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” However, Kellogg was not present at the U.S.-Russia talks held in Riyadh on February 18. A senior Russian official, speaking anonymously, disclosed to NBC News that President Vladimir Putin considered Kellogg too aligned with Ukraine’s interests and unsuitable for negotiations.
“Kellogg is a former American general, too close to Ukraine. Not our kind of person, not of the caliber we are looking for,” the Russian official stated.
A U.S. administration official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Russia had objected to Kellogg’s involvement, although it was unclear when this was communicated to the White House. Kellogg’s office has not provided any comments regarding his exclusion from the negotiations.
National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt stated that Trump had relied on various senior officials to facilitate a resolution to the war in Ukraine and reaffirmed Kellogg’s role as an essential figure, particularly in discussions with European allies.
Kellogg’s Stance on Ending the War
Kellogg, 80, has been a staunch supporter of Trump, previously serving as Vice President Mike Pence’s national security adviser. Before being confirmed as Trump’s envoy for Russia-Ukraine peace in January, he criticized the Biden administration’s foreign policies, describing them as “incompetent.”
In a paper for the America First Policy Institute, Kellogg advocated for continued military aid to Ukraine to prevent further Russian advances, asserting that future U.S. assistance should be contingent on Ukraine’s participation in peace negotiations.
During his presidential campaign, Trump prioritized ending the war swiftly, claiming he could stop hostilities “within 24 hours” of taking office. However, since Trump’s return to the presidency, the war has persisted, with Russia making gradual territorial gains in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces also briefly occupied a portion of Russian territory in the Kursk region.
Recent Developments in Diplomatic Efforts
On February 11, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow for a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Putin. While there was no official account of their discussions, Witkoff described the meeting as a “trust-building” mission and conveyed messages between Trump and Putin.
Following their conversation, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had spoken with Putin and that their respective teams would begin immediate negotiations. The Kremlin later confirmed Putin’s willingness to host U.S. officials for discussions on mutual interests, including a potential resolution for Ukraine.
On February 13, Trump named the U.S. diplomatic team for the Russia talks, which included CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Kellogg was not included, a decision that reportedly stung him, according to sources. A representative for Witkoff declined to comment on whether Kellogg’s exclusion had been discussed with Putin.
When asked about Kellogg’s absence, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the composition of the U.S. delegation was an internal matter for American leaders. Andrei Fedorov, a former Russian deputy foreign minister, further explained that Kellogg’s preference for freezing the front line in Ukraine made him an unsuitable negotiator from Russia’s perspective.
Russia has demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from contested regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which it illegally annexed alongside Donetsk and Luhansk in September 2022.
Progress and Challenges in Negotiations
While the February 18 talks in Riyadh led to an agreement between the U.S. and Russia to restore embassy staffing, little was said about the Ukraine conflict.
Relations between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have also soured, culminating in a tense Oval Office exchange on February 28. In response, the U.S. briefly halted intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, though this was resumed after Ukrainian officials agreed to a 30-day interim ceasefire in a subsequent meeting with Rubio’s team in Saudi Arabia.
Kellogg was again absent from these discussions.
On March 7, Trump dispatched Witkoff to Russia once more. Shortly after his arrival, Putin publicly stated his willingness to halt hostilities but noted that further discussions were necessary. He also hinted at the possibility of another direct conversation with Trump.
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