United States Reaffirms Commitment to Ongoing Peace Negotiations; Ukraine Considers Tacit Surrender of Territorial Control, as Per Kellogg's Statements
Rewritten Article:
Senior U.S. Envoy Keith Kellogg spoke to Fox News on May 1st, expressing that he doubts Washington will abandon peace initiatives despite prior warnings from the White House. He mentioned, "The Ukrainians are prepared to relinquish the land, not lawfully, forever, but practically, because the Russians have taken it over... That's what they're ready to settle for, I was told last week."
The United States has been vigorously working towards negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary truce from May 8 to 11 on April 28, which Kellogg expressed disapproval of as "absurd."
When questioned about the U.S.'s readiness to abandon peace talks amidst Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, Kellogg responded, "I don't think so."
The U.S. has warned it may withdraw from attempts to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia if progress isn't made.
Kellogg explained, "We had 22 specific terms that Ukraine agreed to. What they seek, and what they currently possess, is a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire that leads to a peace treaty. By 'comprehensive,' I mean including sea, air, and land infrastructure for at least 30 days... It could escalate to a significant peace initiative."
Kellogg emphasized that a ceasefire should last no less than 30 days, echoing President Trump's sentiments.
"The significance of 30 days lies in the fact that it stops the violence. That's what President Trump aims to achieve," Kellogg stated.
Regarding whether Putin would be open to accepting the ceasefire, Kellogg said it depends on Putin. "If Putin truly wishes to halt the bloodshed, if he wants this war to end, there's a pathway to do so that has been presented to him," Kellogg said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump met in the Vatican on April 26 during Pope Francis's funeral. Kellogg described the meeting as positive. "I believe it was a very positive conversation. In fact, the Ukrainians told me it was quite constructive," Kellogg said.
The U.S. might concede to some of Russia's extreme demands to reach a settlement, according to Kellogg.
"People fail to grasp how brutal this war has been. If you combine the Ukrainian and Russian soldiers killed and injured, the total exceeds 1.2 million, a remarkable figure," Kellogg said.
Officials from the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Ukraine met in London on April 23 to discuss a path forward in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, stating on March 11 that Kyiv is prepared if Russia agrees to similar terms. To date, Moscow has rebuffed this offer.
Zelensky has repeatedly urged for a full 30-day ceasefire, stating on April 23, "Ukraine insists on an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire."
- Keith Kellogg, the senior U.S. envoy, expressed doubts about abandoning peace initiatives despite previous warnings from the White House, stating that Ukraine is ready to relinquish control of land, not permanently, but essentially, as he was told last week.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary truce from May 8 to 11, but Kellogg expressed disapproval, calling it absurd.
- Regarding the U.S.'s readiness to abandon peace talks amidst Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, Kellogg responded, "I don't think so."
- Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, with Kyiv prepared if Russia agrees to similar terms, but to date, Moscow has rebuffed this offer.
