WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump named retired Gen. Keith Kellogg as his Ukraine war envoy Wednesday — putting the longtime adviser in charge of helping end the nearly three-year Russian invasion.
“I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia,” Trump said in a statement.
“Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!”
Kellogg, 80, was at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago compound in Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday and last week as the incoming president picks key administration aides after rapidly fleshing out his cabinet.
“I am honored by @realDonaldTrump’s appointment to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia,” he said in an X post Wednesday. “It was the privilege of my life working for President Trump, and I look forward to working tirelessly to secure peace through strength while upholding America’s interests. I am ready with the commitment and dedication it deserves.”
The retired Army lieutenant general, a frequent guest on cable news programs and an alum of Trump’s first term in office, co-authored a research paper in April calling for the US to use military aid to Kyiv as leverage to push peace talks with the Kremlin.
The research paper called for “a formal U.S. policy to bring the war to a conclusion.”
“Specifically, it would mean a formal U.S. policy to seek a cease-fire and negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict. The United States would continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses to ensure Russia will make no further advances and will not attack again after a cease-fire or peace agreement.
“Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia,” the paper said.
Kellogg faced competition for the role from former acting intelligence director Ric Grenell, who has advocated the adoption of “autonomous zones” within Ukraine to end the conflict.
“He’s incredibly loyal,” a Kellogg supporter told The Post ahead of his selection.
“He was with [Trump] from day one of the first administration, was there to the very last minute,” the supporter said. “He’s one of his most knowledgeable foreign policy advisers. You know, I think he’s a real asset to the president.”
Kellogg served in a number of positions during Trump’s first term, including as national security adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
