Russia Seeks to Exclude U.S. Envoy Kellogg from Ukraine Talks

Russian officials have requested that Keith Kellogg, the U.S. envoy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, be excluded from high-level discussions on ending the war, according to a U.S. official and another informed source.

Kellogg was notably absent from recent meetings, including one involving U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia. He was also missing from a prior February meeting with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia. While it remains unclear if his absence was tied to Russia’s request, he did send a senior staff member, Eli Rosner, in his place.

The National Security Council affirmed Kellogg’s critical role, with spokesperson James Hewitt emphasizing his contribution to achieving peace. Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of staff for Trump’s National Security Council, has been outspoken against Russian aggression, particularly criticizing a Christmas Day missile attack on Ukraine.

Some former Russian officials reportedly view Kellogg as overly sympathetic to Kyiv, while Trump’s team remains divided on his approach. Some argue he is too hawkish, while others believe diverse perspectives strengthen U.S. strategy.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Ukraine tentatively agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in Saudi talks, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for revisions. The Kremlin and Russian embassy in Washington have yet to comment on Kellogg’s exclusion request.

Kellogg previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and NATO leaders, reinforcing U.S. ties with Kyiv. As discussions on Ukraine’s future continue, the debate over Kellogg’s role underscores the complexities of diplomatic negotiations amid ongoing conflict.