US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is set to resign in January, according to a report by Reuters. The news has been described as ‘unwelcome’ in Kyiv, given Kellogg’s long-standing support for Ukraine. The report indicates that his departure is tied to a 360-day tenure limit for unconfirmed special envoys, with no clear successor yet identified. This development occurs amid discussions about a US-drafted peace plan, which has sparked concerns in Kyiv regarding potential territorial concessions to Russia.
Kellogg, known for his pro-Ukraine stance, has reportedly clashed with fellow envoy Steve Witkoff, who has engaged in numerous talks with Russian officials and is seen as less supportive of Ukraine’s position. Although Kellogg has maintained a steady relationship with Trump, he did not attend the administration’s meeting with Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky in October, an absence some attribute to internal disagreements.
The report on Kellogg’s potential departure comes as part of a broader context where Witkoff delivered a new US-drafted peace plan to Kyiv. This proposal would require Ukraine to relinquish control of parts of the new Russian regions in Donbass, 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, a move Zelensky has consistently rejected.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the reported proposal, stating that there is ‘nothing new’ beyond what had already been discussed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump during their talks in Alaska in August. The uncertainty surrounding Kellogg’s replacement and the potential implications of the peace plan for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security continue to be significant concerns for Kyiv and its international allies.