A former US Army General selected as Donald Trump's special envoy has sparked intense debate over the future of the Ukraine conflict.
According to the Daily Mail, Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg warned of an impending global conflict while outlining a controversial peace proposal that would require Ukraine to surrender significant territory to Russia.
The 80-year-old retired general, who previously served as a national security adviser in Trump's administration, expressed grave concerns about current geopolitical alignments.
His remarks came after Vladimir Putin's forces launched an unprecedented hypersonic missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Kellogg emphasized how the strategic relationships between North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia have shifted dramatically since Trump left office.
Proposed Peace Plan Reveals Dramatic Concessions
Lieutenant General Kellogg's blueprint for peace, detailed in a policy paper for the America First think tank, advocates for a diplomatic solution that would fundamentally reshape Ukraine's territory and international status.
The plan calls for Ukraine to relinquish approximately one-fifth of its territory to Russian control. It also proposes preventing Ukraine from joining NATO for an extended period.
The strategy involves using American economic and military leverage to pressure both sides into negotiations. Under this approach, the US would threaten to withdraw aid from Ukraine while simultaneously warning Russia of increased support to Kyiv if diplomatic solutions are rejected. The plan includes provisions for developing Ukraine's future security infrastructure and implementing mechanisms to fund reconstruction through Russian energy revenue.
Kellogg stated in his policy paper:
The Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people will have trouble accepting a negotiated peace that does not give them back all of their territory or, at least for now, hold Russia responsible for the carnage it inflicted on Ukraine. But as Donald Trump said at the CNN town hall in 2023, "I want everyone to stop dying." That's our view, too.
European Response And Implementation Challenges
The proposal faces significant obstacles from European allies who have pledged unwavering support to Ukraine. Britain, France, and Germany have committed to backing Ukraine's military efforts indefinitely, potentially complicating any US-led peace initiative. This stance was reinforced by the EU's designated foreign policy chief, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
The implementation of a demilitarized zone presents substantial logistical challenges. The proposed buffer would need to span approximately 800 miles along Ukraine's eastern border with Russia and contested territories. This distance, combined with constantly shifting front lines and the presence of various military forces, including reported North Korean troops, makes establishing such a zone extremely complex.
Military experts and analysts have raised concerns about the feasibility of maintaining such an extensive buffer zone without direct US military involvement. The proposal suggests that European nations would bear the responsibility for staffing and managing the demilitarized zone despite lacking the necessary resources and infrastructure.
The Strategic Consequences And Human Impact
Trump's policy will significantly affect the fate of approximately 3.2 million Ukrainians currently living under Russian occupation. The enforced territorial concessions would have lasting implications for these populations while potentially undermining Western alliances and NATO's credibility in the region.
Lieutenant General Kellogg's warning about World War III and his proposed peace plan reflect the complex challenges facing the incoming Trump administration's foreign policy team. The proposal aims to end the bloodshed in Ukraine through diplomatic means despite requiring significant compromises that many stakeholders currently find unacceptable.
The success of this peace initiative will depend largely on the Trump administration's ability to leverage American influence while maintaining crucial international partnerships. The plan's implementation faces substantial resistance from both Ukrainian leadership and European allies, who remain committed to supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity.
