**Trump Appoints Keith Kellogg as Special Envoy to Ukraine and Russia**

In a significant diplomatic move, President-elect Donald J. Trump has named retired Army Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who previously served as a national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence during Trump's first administration, is set to play a pivotal role in any attempts to negotiate an end to the ongoing war between the two countries.

Kellogg's appointment comes as Trump signals his intent to broker a peace deal to resolve the conflict that erupted nearly three years ago when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite Trump's lack of detailed disclosure on his envisioned peace agreement, Ukrainian officials are concerned about the potential reduction in U.S. aid and the risk of an unfavorable deal with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.

In April, Kellogg co-authored a strategy proposal suggesting that the United States should aim for a cease-fire and a negotiated settlement. The paper emphasized that continued American military support for Ukraine should be conditional on Ukraine's willingness to engage in peace talks with Russia. It also proposed that Russia could be incentivized to negotiate with an offer to delay Ukraine's NATO membership in return for a comprehensive peace deal.

The Biden administration, however, has dismissed calls for a cease-fire, arguing that such a move would favor Russia. Current officials assert that Russia's leadership has shown little interest in genuine peace negotiations and have refrained from leveraging American aid to pressure Kyiv into talks.

Although it remains unclear if the strategy paper represents Trump’s views, the document underscores NATO and U.S. efforts to fortify Ukraine's defenses while curbing further Russian aggression. The alliance has committed billions of dollars to support Ukraine, which has sought to join NATO amid the ongoing conflict.

Kellogg, a Vietnam War veteran with experience in Iraq post-2003 invasion, is considered a mainstream figure within Trump’s circle. Known for his loyalty to Trump, Kellogg has been an advisor since Trump's 2016 campaign and has staunchly defended him against various allegations.

In his announcement, Trump praised Kellogg’s early and steadfast support, stating that Kellogg would uphold his vision of "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH." In February, Kellogg defended Trump’s controversial remarks about NATO members' military spending, which had sparked concern in Europe and from the Biden administration. Kellogg argued that Trump was highlighting the importance of NATO members maintaining robust military capabilities.

Kellogg's new role as special envoy places him at the forefront of one of the most critical geopolitical issues facing the Trump administration, with the potential to shape the future of U.S. foreign policy in Eastern Europe.