Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, recently shared some insights at the Munich Security Conference regarding the ongoing efforts to establish peace between Ukraine and Russia. He conveyed optimism that a resolution could be reached soon, possibly within days or weeks.
At the conference, Kellogg remarked, “I’m on Trump time,” alluding to the decisive and rapid approach to decision-making associated with U.S. President Donald Trump. He humorously noted that Trump expects results quickly, often seeking answers to complex problems by the next day.
Discussing the current status of peace negotiations, Kellogg outlined a “dual-track” strategy. American representatives are in dialogue with both Russia and Ukraine and their allies. He emphasized the importance of including Ukraine and European nations in these talks, countering earlier indications from the U.S. that pointed towards a more centralized approach. “You’ve got to bring the allies with you,” he asserted. “Lasting and sustainable peace requires everyone’s involvement.”
In terms of logistics, Kellogg clarified that while European representatives might not physically partake in the talks, their interests would be well-represented. Steering away from overly complex discussions, he stressed the need for focused and strategic negotiations. Although he couldn’t yet specify the details of a security guarantee for Ukraine, Kellogg mentioned the conference as a venue for gaining valuable insights. He admitted that sometimes the U.S. tends to view situations through a narrow lens.
The Munich Security Conference served as a pivotal gathering place for global defense and security leaders, with the future of Ukraine and the broader reshaping of Europe’s security at the forefront of discussions. President Trump’s recent phone calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have reignited hopes for a peace agreement. Initially suggesting a potential bilateral deal between the U.S. and Russia, Trump later acknowledged Ukraine’s necessary involvement alongside “a lot of other people.”
However, the prospect of excluding Europe from these negotiations raised concerns among EU officials. They argue that any sustainable peace deal necessitates their involvement due to longstanding transatlantic relationships. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković highlighted the importance of a peace agreement that protects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, expressing that Europe’s exclusion would be politically unacceptable. Similarly, Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir spoke from the audience, acknowledging Europe’s hesitations regarding the new U.S. administration’s plans, underlining the need for clearer communication to foster responsive leadership.
