President Trump introduced retired Gen. Keith Kellogg will shift his focus to Ukraine – narrowing his particular envoy function to exclude his involvement with Russia as beforehand deliberate.
Kellogg, who was initially appointed as Trump’s Particular Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, will now function Particular Envoy to Ukraine, the commander in chief mentioned in a Fact Social publish Saturday afternoon.
“I am pleased to inform you that General Keith Kellogg has been appointed Special Envoy to Ukraine,” Trump, 78, wrote.
“General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President Zelenskyy, and Ukraine leadership. He knows them well, and they have a very good working relationship together. Congratulations to General Kellogg!”
Though Trump didn’t explicitly say Kellogg can be faraway from negotiations with Russia, the extremely embellished common was not too long ago sidelined from top-level peace talks, together with Tuesday in Saudi Arabia the place US officers and Ukraine agreed to a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin nixed that deal Thursday, nonetheless, and demanded the West cease arming Kyiv, together with different situations, earlier than the Kremlin would think about such an association.
The three-star common thanked Trump for his new function.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by President Trump’s confidence in appointing me as Special Envoy to Ukraine,” Kellogg, 80, wrote on X.
“I have been privileged to have known @realdondaldtrump since 2015, and he will END THIS WAR. It is an honor to serve our great nation and advance the vital interests of the United States. America First!”
The retired Military lieutenant common co-authored a analysis paper final April calling for the US to make use of navy help to Kyiv as leverage to push peace talks with the Kremlin.
The paper known as for “a formal U.S. policy to bring the war to a conclusion.”
“Particularly, it could imply a proper U.S. coverage to hunt a cease-fire and negotiated settlement of the Ukraine battle. America would proceed to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses to make sure Russia will make no additional advances and won’t assault once more after a cease-fire or peace settlement.
“Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia,” the paper mentioned.
Kellogg served in numerous positions throughout Trump’s first time period, together with as nationwide safety adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
With Put up wires.