Brussels: US envoy Keith Kellogg reaffirmed on Monday that Washington will not impose any settlement on Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. His statement comes ahead of his three-day visit to Kyiv, where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss peace negotiations.
Parallel Peace Talks Underway
Kellogg’s visit follows US-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia, marking the first direct engagement between the two nations since President Donald Trump initiated diplomatic efforts with Vladimir Putin.
Kellogg clarified that:
- The US is facilitating negotiations but not dictating terms.
- Zelensky, as Ukraine’s elected leader, has the final say on any agreement.
- Security guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty remain a key priority.
“The decision by Ukrainians is a Ukrainian decision,” Kellogg stated at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
European Leaders Concerned Over Exclusion
European nations are strategizing on their role in these negotiations. Leaders met in Paris on Monday, fearing they might be left out of critical decisions.
Kellogg suggested that while Europeans would not directly participate in the negotiations, their perspectives would be considered. “I don’t think it’s reasonable or feasible to have everybody sitting at the table,” he noted.
Ukraine’s NATO Hopes Dim
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently cast doubt on Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO or fully reclaim its lost territories, signaling a potential shift in Western support.
Additionally, broader global security topics, such as Russia’s alliances with Iran, North Korea, and China, could enter discussions between Washington and Moscow.
Is the War Nearing an End?
Kellogg suggested that both Russia and Ukraine may be seeking a way out, as neither side appears capable of achieving a decisive military victory.
“You get the feeling right now that both sides kind of want to tap out,” he remarked, calling the war “unsustainable” after nearly three years of fighting.
