Former envoy to Ukraine for US President Donald Trump, Keith Kellogg, said on Sunday that both Ukraine and Russia will need to give in order to reach an agreement regarding their ongoing war. While being interviewed on Fox News, Kellogg made known that he believes both Kyiv and Moscow will have to “give a little bit” if there are to be peaceful talks.
Kellogg says that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy already demonstrated a will to soften the stance on issues of territory and that Kyiv may change. He said Putin would also need to be willing to compromise over his demands.
Historically, Zelenskyy has rejected any territorial concessions to Russia, especially in the wake of the ongoing occupation of significant parts of southeastern Ukraine. However, mounting battlefield losses and concerns about sustained US support are putting increasing pressure on Ukraine to reconsider its approach. For Russia, the central demand has been assurances that Ukraine will never become a NATO member.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an assistant to Zelenskyy, reacted with caution to the words of Kellogg, stating that any plan that would rely solely on a ceasefire and elections would not work. “If his plan is just a ceasefire and elections, it is a failed plan,” Lytvyn said, adding that Putin would not be intimidated by such measures alone. He called for a more detailed and robust strategy that would ensure peace.
While Ukraine has appreciated Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, Lytvyn emphasized the need to have a concrete plan that would end the war soon. On the other hand, Putin continues to rebuff direct negotiation with Zelenskyy due to the expiration of his presidential term as illegitimate.