Kellogg Explained How Ukraine Can Influence Trump's Decisions
For Ukraine to engage effectively with U.S. President Donald Trump, it should work not only directly with the president but also with key members of his administration. Among the officials who can influence the U.S. leader’s decisions, former U.S. Special Representative Keith Kellogg named Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, and Pete Hegset.
According to Kellogg, it is important for Ukraine to build systematic cooperation with Trump’s inner circle.
In his view, it is precisely through advisors and high-ranking officials in the U.S. administration that changes in Washington’s position can be achieved.
“If you want to have real influence, work with the advisors,” Kellogg said.
He recommended that Kyiv actively engage with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of War Pete Hegset.
Kellogg also spoke about the relationship between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In his assessment, a relationship of reserved respect has developed between the two presidents. At the same time, according to Kellogg, Trump and Zelenskyy’s personalities have a lot in common.
He compared the interaction between the two leaders to the same poles of a magnet, which repel each other. That is why their communication has at times been difficult.
Despite this, relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have improved recently. Kellogg also called the Ukrainian president a courageous man, as he continues to lead the country amid a full-scale war.
The former U.S. presidential special envoy explained that one of the reasons for his work in Ukraine was a desire to personally assess the situation on the ground and understand exactly what information needed to be conveyed to Trump.
According to Kellogg, the U.S. president is eager to end the war and is deeply pained by the loss of life.
Thus, Kellogg believes that Kyiv should intensify its efforts not only in working directly with Trump but also with key members of his administration who can influence the U.S. president’s position.
Kellogg discussed this in an interview.
There will be no quick end to the war in Ukraine, as Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has no intention of stopping it.
Earlier, a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft—which, according to Axios, had brought CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow—departed from the Russian capital.
Putin changed his schedule due to the possible visit by the CIA director.
