US special envoy reveals Trump’s strategy to end Ukraine conflict with leverage for both sides

Keith Kellogg, the White House special envoy to Ukraine said that US President Donald Trump intends to give both Russia and Ukraine leverage in order to facilitate negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with the US media, Kellogg explained that the US administration is considering ways to exert pressure not only on Russia but also on Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

"He knows where to apply and where not to apply pressure. And more importantly, he will create leverage. A leverage for both Ukrainians and Russians. And you can [yourself] read between the lines - in terms of how leverage is created," Kellogg stated, indicating that Trump’s approach would seek to provide balanced influence to both sides.

The special envoy also emphasized that the administration has a "credible plan" to initiate negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. He stressed that a ceasefire and an end to the war in Ukraine align with the United States' national interests. Kellogg suggested that the conflict could be brought to a conclusion within a few months, not years.

Kellogg’s comments followed remarks from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on January 30 affirmed that Trump’s strategy would focus on negotiating a settlement to the war. Rubio noted that US foreign policy under Trump would prioritize national interests, seeking to avoid armed conflicts whenever possible.

Earlier, on January 28, political scientist Ivan Meziukho suggested that Trump would not coordinate his position on the Ukrainian conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meziukho argued that Washington has treated Ukraine as a subordinate ally and has never considered Kyiv as a key decision-maker in the matter.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Independent reported that Zelenskyy had demanded to be included in any peace negotiations regarding the conflict. Trump had previously stated on January 24 that a peace agreement had not been reached due to Zelenskyy’s decision to engage in the war. Trump asserted that Zelenskyy “decided to go to war” and could have instead negotiated a deal, accusing the Ukrainian president of making a strategic error by taking on a military conflict with a much stronger adversary.

By Vafa Guliyeva