Kellogg's postponed Europe trip: Awaiting Trump's office nod
Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg, has postponed his trip to Kyiv and other European capitals until after the inauguration of the new US President; the reasons for this decision were not disclosed, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing its own sources.
"Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, due to serve as Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, had initially planned a mission to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian authorities at the start of January (…). His team was also organising meetings with officials in other European capitals, including Rome and Paris," wrote the agency.
According to information obtained by money.pl, Gen. Kellogg was also expected to visit Poland during this period. "As part of the European mission, he is to visit several countries, and we have an indication that Poland is included," reported a source to money.pl. When asked by us, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied that it "provides information about possible visits of foreign guests when it deems it appropriate."
Change of plans
It is expected that Kellogg will visit Kyiv only after Trump assumes office, although a date has not yet been set, added Reuters.
Kellogg, who held several advisory roles for Trump during his first term, is anticipated to be the main official responsible for fulfilling the president-elect's promise to end the war in Ukraine.
In discussions, the American military official advocated freezing the conflict and at least temporarily excluding Ukraine's membership in NATO, while simultaneously offering security guarantees.
Kellogg, however, emphasised that this is not Trump's plan and that final decisions are made by the president-elect himself.
Trump wants to end the war
The former and future president, who during the election campaign repeatedly claimed that he would easily bring the war to an end – within 24 hours or even before formally taking office – admitted in December that it might be difficult.
After meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he said that Kyiv is ready to make peace and called on Vladimir Putin to "take action."