The US Aims to Engage Russia and Ukraine in Negotiations Within 180 Days, Kellogg Says

“The United States will act as a mediator in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, aiming to engage all parties in a peace process within 180 days,” stated US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg. He emphasized that ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and security remains a priority during his remarks at the Eighth Ukrainian Lunch during the Munich Security Conference.

Dialogue with Russia and the US approach

Kellogg emphasized the necessity of dialogue, stating that the previous US administration had not engaged with Russia for three years, which he considers a flawed approach. “That is not the way to do things. People need to talk, whether they like the conversation or not,” he said. Comparing past achievements, he claimed, “Within 30 days of President Trump’s administration, we accomplished more than the previous administration did in three years.”

Ukraine’s war losses and the need for a sustainable peace

According to Kellogg, Trump views the war through a humanitarian lens, advocating for an end to hostilities while maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty. “This is not about prolonging the war to the last Ukrainian. We need to stop the killing and end the war, but peace must be reasonable, ensuring sovereignty remains intact,” he said. He highlighted that Ukrainian losses significantly exceed US casualties in the Korean and Vietnam wars combined, nearly reaching levels seen in World War II. “President Trump has said we need to stop this. There must be a lasting peace,” he added.

Security guarantees for Ukraine

The special representative stressed that ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security is essential. While discussions on security guarantees are ongoing, Kellogg assured that any agreement would differ from previous attempts such as the Minsk accords. “We must ensure that Ukraine’s security achieves the right objectives. This will not be Minsk-2; it will be a stable, long-term peace,” he stated. “A ceasefire and a long-term peace treaty will not define success. The real test will be how all parties react when the first violation of the ceasefire occurs.”

Participants in the peace process

Kellogg confirmed that all key parties—including Ukraine, the US, Russia, and European allies—would be involved in discussions. However, he clarified that Europe would not be physically present at the negotiating table but that its interests would be considered. “Looking at Minsk-2, we saw a lot of people at the table who had no ability to contribute to the peace process—that did not lead to success. We will not repeat Minsk,” he stated.

Timeline and diplomatic engagements

Kellogg stated that Trump prioritizes a swift resolution and has set a timeline of 180 days for engaging all relevant actors. “The key question is: when will this end? In a year? At the next Munich Conference in 2026? No. We are saying this must happen sooner,” he explained. “I live on Trump time. If he asks for something today, he wants to know tomorrow why it isn’t done yet. That’s why I am publicly setting 180 days and starting the countdown.” Kellogg plans to visit Ukraine next week to further assess the situation before the Trump administration determines a comprehensive peace framework.

Russia’s alliances and US stance

Addressing geopolitical shifts, Kellogg pointed out that Russia has strengthened ties with Iran and North Korea in recent years. “Four years ago, Russia didn’t have strong alliances with Iran and North Korea. Now, they have economic and military agreements,” he noted. He warned that Trump’s “red lines” should not be underestimated, emphasizing, “Russia has never crossed what Trump considered a red line. What I want to tell the world is—be careful when going against Donald Trump. You must understand what you may be up against.”

Earlier at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine will not remove NATO membership from negotiations, emphasizing the need for strong security guarantees. He criticized NATO’s decision-making, stating that Russian leader Vladimir Putin appears to have undue influence over the alliance.