Ukraine is preparing for a potential late-summer visit by former US presidential envoy for Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who has said he intends to return to Kyiv once conditions allow for in-person meetings.
His statement comes as the Russian war against Ukraine enters another difficult phase, with consistent Russian strikes on “decision-making” centers and civilian infrastructure.
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In his recent comments, Kellogg indicated he aims to travel to Kyiv towards the end of summer, without specifying exact dates. According to RBC-Ukraine, his visit is expected to focus on security guarantees, the state of frontline operations, and a possible negotiation framework for ending Russia’s full-scale invasion against Ukraine.
“I plan to be in Kyiv at the end of summer and I hope that we will be able to meet.”, he said, stating he would like to be with the Ukrainians now but “unfortunately it is impossible.”
The trip could help engagement with Ukrainian counterparts on security and peace proposals, with his words underlining a continued US interest in shaping both battlefield dynamics and diplomatic options, even as Russian strikes are ongoing and a future peace deal remains uncertain.
NATO’s role amid escalating regional threats
Concerns are on the rise that NATO is failing to respond adequately to the ongoing threats posed by Russia and Belarus, with many voicing their fears about the war in neighboring Ukraine spilling onto NATO territory.
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Earlier this month, Kellogg urged Moscow to negotiate, arguing that Moscow is losing the war and failing to achieve its strategic goals. Additionally, he suggested that Ukraine should be cautious in how often it seeks additional support and argued that supporting Ukraine’s defense should primarily be handled by European allies.
“This is a European issue, the Europeans need to solve this, the Europeans need to get involved with this,” he said.
Recently, Kellogg proposed to create a new defense system to replace NATO. He described the Alliance as “cowardly” because of its position on Iran, and among potentially reliable partners separately identified Ukraine, calling it an effective ally. He suggested a possible alternative bloc that could include countries willing to take a more active military role, including Australia, Germany, Japan, Poland, and Ukraine among potential partners.
“Redraw the defense alignments we have,” he said, adding that Ukraine has “proven to be a good ally.”
Concerns persist among Baltic countries as to whether the Alliance is responding strongly and swiftly enough to escalating threats near its borders, particularly as Russian drones and missile activity continue entering NATO’s territory.
As the war in Ukraine continues with no clear end in sight, discussions surrounding NATO’s role intensify, along with Europe’s abilities to defend itself.
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