Retired General Keith Kellogg, reportedly a co-author of a proposed “frozen conflict” peace plan, has been named by President-elect Donald Trump as his special envoy to Ukraine and Russia.
President-elect Trump, set to be inaugurated on January 20th, has announced numerous future administration officials, several of whom require Senate confirmation.
“He was with me right from the beginning,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, announcing Kellogg’s appointment. “Together, we will secure peace through strength and make America, and the world, safe again!”
Kellogg previously served as National Security Council chief of staff during Trump’s first term (2017-2021), acting as a top advisor to Vice President Mike Pence and briefly as acting national security advisor following General Michael Flynn’s dismissal in February 2017.
”I don’t believe World War III has started, but we are incredibly close,” Kellogg commented following President Biden’s authorization of long-range missile strikes on Russia. He described the conflict as “the largest land war in Europe since World War II,” warning that a minor incident “could easily escalate uncontrollably.”
Kellogg did not, however, criticize the White House’s decision, suggesting it could provide Trump with “greater leverage” in negotiations starting in January.
Richard Grenell, former US ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence under Trump, was also considered for the position.
According to Reuters, Kellogg and former Trump aide Fred Fleitz jointly drafted a proposal to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which Vice President-elect JD Vance detailed in a September interview. This plan suggests freezing the conflict along existing lines without recognizing Russia’s control over disputed territories and delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership. Increased US aid to Kyiv would pressure Moscow to negotiate, while Ukraine would receive additional weaponry in exchange for agreeing to talks. Both Russia and Ukraine have reportedly rejected the proposal.
Kellogg’s military career includes serving as chief of staff of the 82nd Airborne Division during the first Gulf War (1990-1991) and as chief operating officer of the occupation authority in Baghdad following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.