President Donald Trump on Saturday, March 15, 2025, said he was naming Keith Kellogg — shown here in 2020 — his special envoy for Ukraine, narrowing the retired general’s portfolio after reports he was sidelined during recent U.S.- Russia talks at the Kremlin’s request. (Drew Angerer, Getty Images/TNS)
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) — President Donald Trump on Saturday said he was naming Keith Kellogg his special envoy for Ukraine, narrowing the retired general’s portfolio after reports he was sidelined during recent U.S.- Russia talks at the Kremlin’s request.
Trump characterized the shift as a positive development in a social media post announcing the new role for Kellogg, who was previously the president’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
“General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President Zelenskyy, and Ukrainian leadership,” Trump said on Truth Social. “He knows them well, and they have a very good working relationship together. Congratulations to General Kellogg!”
Kellogg had initially been tapped to lead negotiations and help bring an end to Russia’s three-year war on Ukraine. When Trump announced Kellogg’s first post in November, he proclaimed that the two men would together “secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” In February, Kellogg consulted with European leaders while honing a blueprint for resolving the conflict.
Yet in recent days, Kellogg’s role and very presence at talks had reportedly diminished, even as other top Trump officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff huddled in high-level negotiations.
Kellogg was excluded from talks in Riyadh at the request of the Kremlin that perceived him as being too close to Ukraine, NBC News reported Thursday.
White House spokespeople didn’t immediately comment further on the change.
At least informally, it’s expected to further elevate the role of Witkoff. The real estate developer, who has already helped secure the release of U.S. teacher Marc Fogel after years of detention in Russia, has been seeking to free hostages held by Hamas while also engaging in the talks with Russia.
Kellogg, a fierce critic of former President Joe Biden’s foreign policy and approach to the Ukraine war, served in a variety of roles during Trump’s first term in the White House, including as chief of staff and executive secretary for the National Security Council. A retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, he previously advocated bolstering Ukraine’s defenses to discourage Russian attacks on the Eastern European country.
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