Kellogg's plan: Ukraine's partition could echo Berlin’s Cold War divide

General Keith Kellogg, President Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, has suggested that a peace deal could involve the partitioning of Ukraine, akin to the post-World War II division of Berlin.

The proposal, reported by The Times, includes the establishment of controlled zones by British and French troops in western Ukraine, while Russian forces would maintain control over the eastern regions. Ukrainian forces would be stationed between these areas in a demilitarized zone, aiming to ensure a ceasefire.

Kellogg, 80, emphasized that the proposed Anglo-French-led force in the western part of Ukraine, located west of the Dnipro River, would not provoke Moscow. He argued that Ukraine, a large country, could accommodate multiple military forces to enforce the ceasefire. Drawing parallels to the post-war Berlin situation, Kellogg noted, "You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after World War Two, when you had a Russian zone, a French zone, a British zone, and a US zone."

He further explained that the Dnipro River, which divides Ukraine from north to south, would serve as a major geographic barrier, ensuring that the western forces would not come into direct conflict with Russian troops. However, Kellogg clarified that the United States would not be providing any ground forces to the region. Instead, he proposed the creation of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the existing lines of control, suggesting an 18-mile buffer between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

The plan implicitly recognizes Russia’s de facto control over the territories they currently occupy, a sensitive point given ongoing tensions. Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made it clear that Moscow would not accept peacekeeping forces from NATO countries "under any conditions." This may complicate the implementation of Kellogg's proposed plan, as Ukraine's government could view the comparison with post-war Berlin as inappropriate, particularly in light of Russia's justifications for its invasion, which include the false claim of "de-Nazification."

Kellogg’s comments provide one of the clearest glimpses into the Trump administration’s vision for Ukraine’s future. They also represent the first time a senior US official has suggested that the Dnipro River could become a key demarcation line within the country following a ceasefire, though Kellogg made it clear that he does not support ceding any further territory to Russia.

However, Kellogg acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not accept the proposed zones of control. To prevent clashes between the Anglo-French and Ukrainian forces and Russian troops, Kellogg proposed the establishment of a buffer zone, with both sides retreating by 15 kilometers (about 18 miles), creating a demilitarized zone that could be monitored easily. While Kellogg acknowledged the likelihood of occasional violations, he emphasized that monitoring this zone would be straightforward.

In an apparent effort to bring Putin back to the negotiating table, Kellogg also expressed US support for fresh elections in Ukraine. He stated that President Zelenskyy would likely be open to holding elections once a ceasefire is in place, but emphasized that the decision would ultimately be up to the Ukrainian people and parliament, not the US.

Kellogg admitted that US officials had underestimated the complexities of the situation and the process needed to secure a peace deal. He noted that the Ukrainian parliament, the Rada, holds the ultimate authority over whether the US can access Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, although he pointed out that it remains unclear what minerals are accessible or their worth. "The last time anybody did a geological survey was the Soviets," he said.

In the coming days, US officials will work to address these complexities and attempt to transform what Kellogg described as a “business deal” into a “diplomatic deal.” He also noted that he and the Ukrainians were waiting for Russia to present their latest terms for moving forward with the peace talks. "I think we’re going to find out [their demands] in the near term," he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova