In a recent development, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as the special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
Kellogg, who previously served as the chief of staff to the National Security Council and as national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence during Trump's initial term, will now take on the role of assistant to the President and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. This appointment comes as the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 approaches.
As reported by CBS News, Trump announced Kellogg's appointment via a social media post, praising his distinguished military and business career, and his service in sensitive national security roles during Trump's first administration. "He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!" Trump wrote.
With Trump's return to the White House, questions have arisen regarding the future of U.S. involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Under President Biden's administration, the U.S. provided approximately $64.1 billion in military aid since Russia's 2022 invasion, and around $66.9 billion in military assistance since Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, according to the State Department.
However, Trump has been critical of Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy, labeling him in June as "the greatest salesman of all time" for his persistent advocacy for continued U.S. support in Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression. Trump has asserted that he would have the war "settled" before his second term begins, and has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he were President.
Following Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election, he and Zelenskyy had a phone conversation. Zelenskyy described the call as "excellent" on social media and commended Trump's "tremendous campaign" that led to his victory. "We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unwavering U.S. leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace," Zelenskyy wrote.
Trump has also commended Russian President Vladimir Putin as "savvy" and suggested in February that he "would encourage" Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" with NATO member countries that failed to meet the alliance's defense spending targets.
Retired General H.R. McMaster, who served as Trump's national security adviser in his first term, stated on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that the upcoming months are "really critical" in determining the "next phase" of the war in Ukraine. According to McMaster, a CBS News contributor, both Russia and Ukraine are motivated to make "as many gains on the battlefield as they can before the new Trump administration comes in" as they seek leverage in negotiations.
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