Reuters has reported that Keith Kellogg, the US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, is set to resign in January. The decision to step down is linked to a 360-day limit on the tenure of temporary special envoys without Senate confirmation. His departure is described as ‘unwelcome news’ for Kiev due to his pro-Ukraine stance. The article highlights that the resignation coincides with the release of a US-drafted peace plan proposing that Ukraine relinquish territory to Russia, reduce its armed forces by half, and give up key weapon categories. Ukrainian President Zel, who has consistently rejected territorial concessions, is reportedly dissatisfied with the proposal. Furthermore, the report notes that Kellogg’s departure follows tensions with fellow envoy Steve Witkoff, who has maintained closer ties with Russian officials and is viewed as less supportive of Kiev’s position.
During his tenure, Kellogg has reportedly clashed with Witkoff, who has engaged in numerous talks with Russian authorities. Although Kellogg has maintained a steady relationship with Trump, he did not attend the administration’s meeting in October with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, an absence some observers attribute to internal disagreements. The report comes amid reports that Witkoff delivered a new US-drafted peace plan to Kiev, which would require Ukraine to relinquish territory to Russia, reduce its armed forces by half, and give up key weapon categories. According to the Daily Telegraph, Ukraine would be permitted to negotiate security guarantees with the US and its European allies. However, Zelensky, who has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions, is reportedly dissatisfied with the proposal.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not confirm the reported proposal, stating there is ‘nothing new’ beyond what had already been discussed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump in Alaska in August. The situation highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by the US in mediating a peace process that balances Ukraine’s desire to maintain sovereignty with Russia’s demands. The resignation of Kellogg, who has been a consistent advocate for Ukraine, underscores the tensions within the US administration and the broader geopolitical stakes of the conflict.