US Special Envoy Kellogg Expected in Kyiv to Hash Out Security and Pray

Keith Kellogg, the US special presidential envoy for Ukraine will reportedly visit Kyiv over the weekend to take part in the celebration of Independence Day tomorrow, while discussing security guarantees and other matters.

On the following day, Aug. 25, he is expected to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Kyiv.

Keith Kellogg was not included in the US delegation during the negotiations in Alaska at the request of the Russians, who consider Kellogg a sympathizer of Ukraine.

Kyivites always look forward to Kellogg’s frequent visits to the capital, as Russia suddenly becomes reluctant to bomb there. In fact, humorists around capital often suggest offering him citizenship and an apartment, which would be tantamount to a no-fly zone.

In an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, HUR, extolled Kellogg’s virtues and commitment to Ukraine. In response to a question about who Ukraine’s staunchest allies within the Trump administration are, the spy chief responded:

“There are people who, to put it mildly, are skeptical about the aid provided to us. But there are also those who consider such aid clearly insufficient. In this sense, first and foremost, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio can be named, as well as the US president’s Special Envoy, Keith Kellogg. Their stance is absolutely clear – aid to Ukraine is part of US national interests. Therefore, it should continue and increase both quantitatively and qualitatively.”

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Asked if Kellogg’s stance was expected, Budanov offered some background to the general’s relationship with Ukraine:

“This stance did not appear yesterday. Keith Kellogg supported Ukraine even before the full-scale invasion. He served as the national security adviser to the US president during Donald Trump’s first term. Even then, he was among the ‘hawks’ in the Republican Party who advocated for a tough stance toward Russia and Putin.

Budanov added: “After the start of the full-scale invasion, he repeatedly criticized the previous administration for indecisive actions and the constant fear of crossing Putin’s mythical ‘red lines.’ He clearly stated that the United States must lead the effort to achieve a just peace. He emphasized that Ukraine must be provided with modern weapons not only to organize effective defense but also to conduct counteroffensives. On this issue, his position is absolutely clear.”

Kellogg is said to be coming to Kyiv just as the US, Ukraine and Europe hash out security guarantees.

Yet he is also slated to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, a highly influential tradition in Washington political circles, which Ukraine has embraced, thus garnering increased influence with men close to Trump, such as Pastor Mark Burns, who is reported to be on his way to Ukraine as well, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

Moreover, Kellogg’s daughter, Meagan Mobbs, is based in Kyiv and a strident Ukraine supporter. In an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post she said about her father: “I don’t always agree with him. He doesn’t always agree with me. I’m a 38-year-old woman with my own kind of two legs to stand on. But of course we talk about things. I mean, we always talk about everything. I’m my father’s daughter in many different ways.”