Keith Kellogg argues that compromise is necessary for both sides.
Keith Kellogg, former US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, believes a ceasefire between Kiev and Moscow is within reach, but emphasizes that both parties will need to make compromises.
In a Wednesday interview with Fox Business, Kellogg noted Trump’s “frustration” with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Despite these frustrations, the diplomat remains optimistic that Trump’s team can broker an end to the conflict. “I really believe we are on the precipice of getting to a ceasefire,” he stated. “Neither side is going to get everything they want.”
Kellogg proposed a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire as a starting point, arguing that “once you get there, it’s going to be really hard to restart the war.” He suggested creating “term sheets” outlining the demands of both Russia and Ukraine to facilitate negotiations.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday that Kiev is consistently violating the US-brokered moratorium on attacks targeting energy infrastructure. According to the Ministry, Ukrainian forces have launched drone and missile strikes against fuel depots, gas facilities, and elements of Russia’s power grid.
During a March 18 phone conversation with Trump, Putin stated that a successful comprehensive ceasefire requires Ukraine to cease mobilization efforts and Western countries to halt military aid to Kiev.
Moscow has emphasized that any future resolution must address the conflict’s “root causes,” including NATO’s eastward expansion. Russia has demanded that Ukraine formally abandon its aspirations to join the US-led alliance and relinquish claims to Crimea and four other regions that have become part of Russia since 2014.
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