WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump is considering appointing retired Gen. Keith Kellogg as special envoy to Ukraine, tasked with ending nearly three years of Russian aggression, the Post has confirmed.
Mr. Kellogg, 80, was at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday and last week as the president-elect selected key administration aides after rapidly beefing up his Cabinet.
The retired Army lieutenant general, a frequent guest on cable news shows and an alumnus of President Trump's first term, co-authored research paper In April, he called on the United States to use arms donations to Kiev as leverage to advance peace talks with the Kremlin.
The research paper calls for “a formal U.S. policy to end the war.”
“Specifically, it refers to the formal U.S. policy of seeking a ceasefire and negotiated solution to the Ukraine conflict. , will continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses.
“However, future U.S. military aid will require Ukraine to participate in peace negotiations with Russia,” the newspaper said.
Kellogg is believed to face competition from Rick Grenell, a former acting intelligence chief who has advocated for the creation of “autonomous regions” within Ukraine to end the conflict.
“I think Mr. Kellogg has a real chance given his past work on this issue,” a person familiar with the process told the Post.
Supporters of Kellogg's candidacy told the Post that Trump should choose him because “he is incredibly loyal.”
“He was with [Trump] He was there from the first day of the first administration until the last moment and was very supportive,” said a supporter. “He's one of the most knowledgeable foreign policy advisers. I think he's a really valuable asset to the president.”
But Grenell brings significant diplomatic experience as a former U.S. ambassador to Germany, running President Trump's pressure campaign to shut down Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and then serving as special envoy to broker a diplomatic breakthrough between Serbia and Kosovo. achieved success as.
Kellogg held a number of positions during President Trump's first term, including national security adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
