On Wednesday, November 27th, President-elect Donald Trump selected retired General Keith Kellogg as his Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, a position focused on resolving the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Kellogg, 80, a former national security adviser and a longtime advisor to Trump, will be responsible for leading efforts to bring an end to the nearly three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia,” Trump said in a statement. “Keith has led a distinguished military and business career, including serving in highly sensitive national security roles in my first administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!”
Kellogg’s appointment follows years of service in various key positions during Trump’s first term, including as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence and chief of staff of the National Security Council. A highly regarded retired Army lieutenant general, he has been a staunch advocate for the ‘America First’ security agenda and, as co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, contributed several chapters to the institute’s policy book.
In a post on X, Kellogg expressed his honor in accepting the position: “I am honored by @realDonaldTrump’s appointment to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia,” he wrote. “It was the privilege of my life working for President Trump, and I look forward to working tirelessly to secure peace through strength while upholding America’s interests.”
Kellogg’s main role as Special Envoy will be to address the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which entered its third year in February 2024. As outlined in his previous writings, his strategy calls for a clear U.S. policy aimed at achieving a ceasefire and a negotiated peace settlement, while ensuring Ukraine’s defense against further Russian advances.
In April, Kellogg co-authored a research paper advocating for using military aid to Ukraine as leverage in pushing for peace talks with Russia. The paper emphasized that U.S. military support should be contingent on Ukraine’s participation in negotiations, signaling a shift towards a more diplomatic approach to ending the war.
Kellogg’s appointment is seen as a pivotal step in Trump’s broader strategy to end the conflict and reaffirm his commitment to “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
