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Ukraine, Trump calls Keith Kellogg, the general for 'peace in 48 hours'

Army veteran from Vietnam to Iraq, Tycoon loyalist in his first White House experience: threatens Kiev with blocking military aid if he does not negotiate with Moscow

from our correspondent in New York Luca Veronese

28 November 2024

Keith Kellogg, indicato da Donald Trump come inviato speciale per la Russia e l’Ucraina

3' min read

3' min read

Keith Kellogg, a retired multi-decorated general, will be Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. It will be up to Kellog - 80 years old, an army veteran from Vietnam to Iraq - to find a solution to the conflict unleashed by Vladimir Putin: as promised by Trump the war must end 'in just 48 hours'.

"He has been with me from the beginning! Together, we will secure peace through strength and make America and the world safe again!" announced Trump, who has always been very cool on US involvement in Ukraine. "I am very pleased," he added from his Truth Social, "to appoint General Keith Kellogg as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia: he has led a distinguished career in the military and in several companies, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first administration.

Already with Trump in the first term

Kellogg, a long-time Trump loyalist on defence matters, was former Vice President Mike Pence's National Security Advisor, then headed the National Security Council staff. And for a brief period (after Michael Flynn was forced to resign because he was overwhelmed by Russiagate) he was Trump's security adviser in his first administration. Retired since 2003, he has held positions in Pentagon-related companies such as Oracle, Cubic and Caci International.

As co-chair of the American First Policy Institute's Center for American Security, one of the institutes of reference for the new populist right, Kellogg has written a number of texts that - like Project 2025 - define Trump's US national security agenda and defence policies.

Trump's new envoy will take office when three years have passed since the invasion of Ukraine initiated by Vladimir Putin's Russia on 24 February 2022. "The war in Ukraine is a tragedy that could have been avoided and was instead caused by President Joe Biden's incompetence as a world leader and his chaotic foreign policy," Kellogg said, explaining that "ending the war between Russia and Ukraine will require strong, America First leadership."

Force to force peace negotiations

The plan Kellogg has already presented to Trump is for the US to convince Ukraine to negotiate peace by threatening to block military aid. While Russia would be persuaded to negotiate to avoid even more US support for Ukraine. The ceasefire, agreed by the parties, would freeze the battle lines as they are at the time of the negotiations. Ukraine's membership in NATO would be ruled out, at least in the immediate future.

These are therefore difficult conditions for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept, because they indicate a de facto surrender of Kiev, with the ceding of the eastern regions conquered by Moscow by force. Although - in Kellogg's vision - the US will guarantee the defence of Ukraine against Russia once a peace agreement is reached.

US commitment

The US has allocated over $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. Biden is seeking to release more funding to Ukraine, to which he has forgiven nearly five billion dollars in debt. The US has also allowed Kiev forces to use American-made missiles to strike military targets deeper inside Russia. And they approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine.

"Authorising the use of Atacms missiles will give Trump more negotiating power," Kellogg said, criticising Biden for "a decision that should have been made long ago".

Michael Waltz, Trump's newly designated National Security Adviser, commented: 'Keith has dedicated his life to the defence of our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution'. And 'in 48 hours', as promised by Trump.

Luca Veronesegiornalista
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Luogo: Milano
Lingue parlate: inglese, spagnolo
Argomenti: economia internazionale, politica internazionale
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