US special envoy to the Ukraine war retired Gen. Keith Kellogg made a significant visit to Kyiv on Wednesday morning for crucial talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This visit comes just a day after President Trump dispatched a separate delegation to Saudi Arabia to engage with top Russian leaders in an effort to seek an end to the ongoing conflict.
Upon his arrival at Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station, Kellogg expressed his intention to listen to Kyiv’s perspectives on ending Russia’s war on the nation. He emphasized the importance of understanding Ukraine’s concerns regarding security guarantees, sovereignty, and defense. Kellogg stated, “Part of my mission is to sit and listen and say, ‘OK, what are your concerns?’ I will get the answers and go back to the United States, talk to President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the rest of the team to ensure that we get this one right.”
Arriving in Kyiv just before the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion on February 24, Kellogg highlighted the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict that has resulted in significant casualties and human suffering. He acknowledged President Trump’s commitment to ending the war and emphasized the importance of achieving peace for the region and the world.
This visit marks Kellogg’s second meeting with President Zelensky in less than a week, following their encounter at the Munich Security Conference. Kellogg was accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and Rubio at the conference, where they engaged in discussions on international security.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting lasted for 4.5 hours and resulted in the agreement on four principles, including improving diplomatic relations, setting up negotiating teams for talks on ending the Ukraine war, and laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
Despite the discussions, there was no mention of adjusting US sanctions on Russia during the meeting. This diplomatic engagement marked the first extended talks between top US and Russian leaders since the invasion of Ukraine, signaling a potential shift towards resolving the conflict through dialogue and negotiation.
Overall, Kellogg’s visit to Kyiv and the diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia demonstrate ongoing efforts to address the Ukraine war and work towards peace in the region. The commitment of key stakeholders to dialogue and cooperation is essential in finding a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
