Russia Must Make Concessions to Achieve Peace, Kellogg Says

During a discussion at the Munich Security Conference, US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, outlined the steps Russia must take to achieve a resolution to its war against Ukraine.

According to Kellogg, these include territorial concessions, a commitment to refrain from future military actions, and a reduction in the size of its armed forces.

Speaking at the panel “Peace Through Strength – A Plan for Ukraine”, Kellogg emphasized that Russia’s military alliances with North Korea, Iran, and China pose a significant risk and should not be allowed to strengthen. He stated that efforts should be made to disrupt these partnerships, which had not existed in their current form four years ago.

The discussion also featured British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas. Lammy underscored that Russia had violated the Minsk agreements on multiple occasions, while Sikorski reiterated that Poland would continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Kasčiūnas expressed skepticism about the possibility of any stable agreement with the Russian leadership.

Kellogg further stressed that military actions alone would not end the war and that a comprehensive strategy was needed. Although he did not specify which territories Russia should concede, he noted that political pressure must be applied to force Moscow into making difficult decisions.

Earlier, US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg stated that the United States aims to engage Ukraine and Russia in negotiations within 180 days. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he emphasized that the timeline reflects former President Donald Trump’s urgency in achieving a resolution.

Kellogg highlighted that diplomatic efforts would prioritize Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security, ensuring the process does not repeat past agreements like Minsk-2. He also confirmed that while European allies’ interests would be considered, they would not be directly involved at the negotiating table.