Reporting from Kyiv, Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan states that Kellogg emphasized his primary objective in today’s meetings with Ukrainian leaders is “to listen.”
Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, is reportedly “very sympathetic to the Ukrainian position,” according to Khan.
“At this stage, his role is purely observational, as he lacks the authority to make decisions, initiate talks, or facilitate negotiations,” Khan reported.
Zelenskyy Condemns Trump’s Ukraine War Claims as ‘Russian Disinformation’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Ukraine initiated the war with Russia. He accused Washington of operating in a "Russian-made disinformation space."
Meanwhile, a U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia has arrived in Kyiv for discussions with Zelenskyy, following a high-level meeting between U.S. and Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Policy Shifts and Domestic Developments
The Trump administration continues efforts to slash federal jobs and programs, sparking widespread concerns. In a separate development, a U.S. judge is reviewing a Justice Department request to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
European Response to U.S.-Ukraine Policy
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to hold a video conference today with leaders from 15 nations in response to the recent U.S.-Russia talks. Macron had previously convened an emergency meeting in Paris to address shifting U.S. policies on the war. French government spokesperson Sophie Primas expressed confusion over Trump’s assertion that Ukraine "started" the conflict.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated that any peace deal must involve Ukraine and Europe. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized Europe’s central role in ensuring a lasting peace but acknowledged that U.S.-Russia talks could help open negotiations.
Putin: Trump Assured Him Ukraine Would Be Part of Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Moscow is ready to resume negotiations on Ukraine. Speaking to Russian media, Putin praised the recent U.S.-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia, stating they were conducted “without bias or judgment” and yielded promising results.
Putin also claimed that Trump assured him Ukraine would be involved in future negotiations. It remains unclear whether this was conveyed during their recent call or through the U.S. delegation.
Ukraine Feels Shut Out of Key Talks
Zelenskyy forcefully pushed back against Trump’s comments, arguing that Ukraine must not be excluded from negotiations. He also criticized a proposed $500 billion rare-earth minerals deal tied to U.S. support, dismissing it as unserious.
The prevailing sentiment in Kyiv is one of diplomatic isolation—despite continued Western support, major discussions on ending the war appear to be happening without Ukraine at the table.
The U.S. Shift on Ukraine: How Did We Get Here?
Trump’s remarks are part of a broader policy shift by his administration on the war. Here’s how it unfolded:
- Trump expressed disappointment that Zelenskyy criticized being left out of U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia.
- He falsely claimed Ukraine "started it," arguing that Kyiv and Europe could have reached a peace deal years ago.
- U.S. and Russian delegations met in Riyadh and agreed to initiate a negotiation process, though details remain vague.
- Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth angered Kyiv and European allies by suggesting Ukraine must accept the loss of territory annexed by Russia in 2014 and abandon NATO aspirations.
With diplomatic dynamics rapidly shifting, Ukraine remains adamant that it must be a direct participant in any peace negotiations.
Comments
Post a Comment