Kremlin Pushes for Exclusion of Trump’s Ukraine Envoy from Peace Talks

Russian officials reportedly sidelined Keith Kellogg, citing his pro-Ukraine stance, as U.S. negotiates a potential ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

Russian officials requested that retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, be excluded from high-level peace talks, calling him 'too close to Ukraine.'
Kellogg, a staunch supporter of Ukraine's defense, has been absent from recent negotiations in Saudi Arabia, replaced by other U.S. officials including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The U.S. and Ukraine have tentatively agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded further discussions on what he calls the 'root causes' of the conflict.
Kellogg's allies argue he remains influential despite his absence from talks, maintaining contact with President Trump and advocating for a strong U.S. stance against Russian aggression.
Trump’s administration has faced challenges balancing peace negotiations with maintaining military support for Ukraine, including temporary pauses in intelligence sharing and aid.