The Telegraph: "Republican hawks" pushed Trump toward confrontation with Moscow

U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Secretary of State Marco Rubio played a key role in shifting Donald Trump’s position on Russia and Ukraine, The Telegraph reported, citing sources.

According to the outlet, “Republican hawks” have spent several months working to steer Trump toward a more confrontational stance with Moscow.

A central figure in these efforts was General Keith Kellogg, who had previously been sidelined from the Ukraine portfolio in favour of Steve Witkoff.

The newspaper notes that the situation began to change in recent weeks, as public attention regarding U.S. support for Ukraine turned toward Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

According to The Telegraph’s congressional source, Kellogg has recently been gaining influence, and together with Rubio, is “pushing a new approach.” The U.S. Secretary of State was among those who influenced Trump’s decisions on Ukraine and Russia.

The source added that Rubio’s good relationship with Trump allowed him to intervene at a critical moment, as Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.

By Vugar Khalilov