President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has appointed retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, his former national security adviser, to be his special envoy to Russia and Ukraine.
in post On Truth Social, President Trump praised Kellogg's longtime loyalty and ability to “forcefully secure peace and make America and the world safe again.” President Trump said Kellogg had a “distinguished military and business career.”
“I am very pleased to appoint General Keith Kellogg as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Mr. Keith has served in highly sensitive national security roles in my first administration. , had a distinguished military and business career,” President Trump said.
During President Trump's first term, Kellogg served as chief of staff on the National Security Council and as national security advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence (CBS News). reported. The future of US involvement in the Ukraine conflict remains uncertain as President Trump seeks to re-enter the White House.
Mr. Kellogg is co-chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Institute for Policy Research and has written several chapters in the institute's policy books. Associated Press reported. The publication is similar to the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which aims to develop a national security strategy for the Trump era and correct the lack of preparedness seen in 2016, when Trump first took office. .
According to the Associated Press, Kellogg has previously advocated for an aggressive America-first approach to brokering a peace deal and quickly ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. reported. He expressed hope that this policy paper will serve as a practical and intellectual guide to implementing an America First national security strategy.
“This is a grand strategy,” Kellogg said. “You don't start with policy. You start with strategy. And that's what we did.”
According to multiple sources, President Trump and businessman Elon Musk spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. During the meeting, President Trump discussed future U.S. assistance to Ukraine. (Related: Trump victory means allies must spend more on their defense, European officials admit)
“We both want this to end and we both want a fair deal,” President Trump said. reporter alongside Zelenskiy at a press conference in September. “It needs to stop, and the president (Zelensky) wants it to stop, and I'm sure President Putin wants it to stop, so that's a good combination.”
The State Department announced last week that the Biden administration intends to forgive about $4.7 billion in loans previously granted to Ukraine. But spokesman Matthew Miller said several members of Congress are actively working to block the debt forgiveness.
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