Keith Kellogg, former National Security Advisor to the Vice President, was seen speaking to reporters during a press briefing at the U.S. White House on September 22, 2020.
Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect, has nominated retired military General Keith Kellogg, former National Security Advisor to the Vice President, as a special envoy to oversee issues related to the Russia-Ukraine war.
On the 27th (local time), President-elect Trump announced in a statement posted on his social media platform, ‘Truth Social,’ that he is very pleased to appoint General Keith Kellogg as presidential advisor and special envoy for Ukraine-Russia.
He further stated, “Keith has built a career in the military and industry, including working in sensitive national security sectors during my first administration.” He added, “He has been with me from the start,” and expressed confidence that “alongside General Kellogg, we will achieve ‘peace through strength’ and make America and the world safe again.”
Former Advisor Kellogg, a retired Army Lieutenant General and Vietnam War veteran, served as National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Mike Pence and Chief of Staff for the National Security Council (NSC) during the Trump administration’s first term. After the end of the first term, he served as the director of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a pro-Trump think tank, advising the President-elect on security policies.
The New York Times (NYT) noted that former Advisor Kellogg could play a crucial role in President-elect Trump’s plans to end the Russia-Ukraine war. However, it reported that while Trump has not detailed what kind of peace agreement he envisions, Ukrainian officials are concerned he may attempt to cut aid to Ukraine and push for negotiations unfavorable to Ukraine.
In the past, Kellogg argued that President Vladimir Putin of Russia might come to the negotiating table if NATO proposed a long-term delay of Ukraine’s NATO membership in exchange for a comprehensive and verifiable peace agreement including security guarantees. However, the NYT stated that it is unclear if this view reflects that of President-elect Trump.