U.S. Envoy Keith Kellogg Removed from Russia-Ukraine Talks at Kremlin’s Request
Photo: Grok AI Generated, ill. purposes
Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, was excluded from recent negotiations after the Kremlin objected to his participation, according to NBC News, citing U.S. officials and a Russian government source.
The retired lieutenant general was absent from two recent summits in Saudi Arabia, where Russian and Ukrainian officials met for peace discussions — despite these talks falling within his official duties.
Kellogg is a former American general, too close to Ukraine. Not our kind of person, not the caliber we are looking for,a senior Russian official familiar with the Kremlin’s stance said.
A Trump administration representative confirmed that Russia opposed Kellogg’s involvement.
Kellogg previously proposed a security plan for Ukraine, advocating for military support to prevent Russia from advancing after a ceasefire or peace deal.
At the February 18 talks in Riyadh, the U.S. delegation included:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- National Security Advisor Michael Waltz
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff
Meanwhile, expert Tatiana Stanovaya, Founder/CEO at R.Politik and senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, commented on Putin's recent remarks about a potential ceasefire.
The expert believes Putin’s current stance rejects an unconditional ceasefire, a move that could strain his relationship with Trump and complicate efforts to normalize U.S.-Russia ties.
The expert highlights the refusal not being absolute — the Kremlin has set specific conditions:
- A ceasefire must lead to broader negotiations, specifically under an “Istanbul Plus” framework, which Russia views as a path to Kyiv’s eventual capitulation
- The U.S. must halt military aid to Ukraine
- Kyiv must agree not to use the pause to fortify its defenses or rearm its forces
- Zelenskyy’s political legitimacy must be addressed
Latest news
- Kazakhstan: Authorities Awaiting Interpol Action in Case Linked to Akzharkyn Turlybay — Deputy Prosecutor General
- Investigation Into Former Health Insurance Fund Deputy Chair Still Ongoing — Social Health Insurance Fund Head
- Animal Shelter Guard Assaulted in Almaty Region; Investigation Underway
- Oral Activist Held Hunger Strike Over Repeated Protest Bans
- Former Prosecutor General Kairat Kozhamzharov: Investigation Continues as Associates Face Charges
- Germany Weighs Nationalizing Rosneft’s German Assets; Schwedt Refinery May Be Sold to Kazakhstan Investor
- Northern Kazakhstan Faces Gas Shortages
- Karin Confirms Plans for Unicameral Parliament, Says Senate’s Abolition Not the Goal
- Yana Legkodimova: Prosecutors Toughen Charges in Homicide Case
- Former Presidential Advisor Yerzhan Babakumarov Dies Following Altercation in Astana
- U.S. Envoy and Deputy Secretary of State Meet Toqayev Ahead of Washington Visit
- KazMunayGas Confirms End of MunaySpetsSnab Workers’ Strike in Mangystau
- Workers Strike Again in Kazakhstan’s Oil Region
- Lukashenko and Toqayev Hold Phone Call, Discuss Joint Projects and Meeting in Kyrgyzstan
- Russian and Syrian Defense Ministers Hold Talks
- Surgeons in Stepnogorsk Forced to Operate in Regular Wards Amid Years-Long Renovation Delays
- Majilis Deputy: Manual Economic Management Should Be Temporary
- Data Leaks: Majilis Deputy Calls for Stronger Oversight
- Court in Baku Prolongs Arrest of Russians Suspected in Drug Case
- 16-Year-Old Kidnapped for Two Months in Turkistan — Police Closed Case