(WASHINGTON, DC) – Retired United States General Keith Kellogg has left his role as Donald Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine, with the departure taking effect on January 1. Neither Mr Kellogg nor Mr Trump has issued a formal public statement confirming whether the move was a dismissal or a resignation, but Mr Kellogg has not posted on social media since early December.
According to reporting by The New York Times, Mr Kellogg’s exit followed a period of growing tension inside the Trump administration over policy towards Ukraine. Mr Kellogg, a career military officer with four decades of service, had taken a firm position in support of Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion.
The newspaper described a sharp exchange in the Oval Office during a visit by Mr Kellogg. Mr Trump challenged him over comments in which he described Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as courageous and embattled. Mr Kellogg reportedly defended the statement, saying Ukraine was engaged in an existential fight for national survival. He compared the situation to the United States under President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
Officials familiar with the exchange said Mr Trump reacted angrily and later dismissed Mr Kellogg’s views. The incident became a symbol of deeper disagreements over how the United States should approach the war in Ukraine and relations with Moscow, led by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Mr Kellogg’s position increasingly placed him at odds with Mr Trump, who has frequently expressed scepticism about continued United States support for Ukraine. Within the administration, officials described an internal conflict between those favouring sustained backing for Kyiv and those advocating a more accommodating approach towards Russia.
The departure of Mr Kellogg removes one of the more openly pro Ukraine voices from Mr Trump’s advisory circle.