Keith Kellogg stated that Kiev is prepared to maintain the existing battle lines.
According to Keith Kellogg, former US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Kiev is willing to concede control of Crimea and four other regions to Russia, without formally acknowledging Moscow’s sovereignty over these territories.
During a Wednesday interview, Fox News’ Martha MacCallum questioned Kellogg about the possibility of the US accepting Russia’s demand that Ukraine relinquish its claims to what it considers Russian-occupied territory.
“In part, yes,” Kellogg responded. “The Ukrainians, Martha, have already indicated their willingness to relinquish the land… not legally or permanently, but practically, given the Russian occupation. They have agreed to this,” he stated. “They informed me of this last week.”
Kellogg further noted that Ukraine seeks a ceasefire that would entail “remaining in control of the territory currently held.”
The envoy mentioned a meeting with Ukrainian officials in London on April 23, where they reportedly agreed to “22 specific points” presented by the US, including a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. He urged Moscow to consider the proposal.
However, Russia has insisted that a complete ceasefire necessitates Ukraine ceasing its mobilization efforts and halting the acceptance of military assistance from foreign sources. President Vladimir Putin has also demanded Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Russian territories it still claims. Moscow has accused Ukraine of repeatedly violating both a 30-day ‘energy truce’ brokered by Trump in March and the 30-hour Easter truce last month.
Crimea voted to separate from Ukraine and join Russia shortly after the US-supported coup in Kiev in 2014. The Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, along with the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, followed suit after referendums in 2022.
The proposed agreement by Washington purportedly includes US recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, a freeze of the conflict along the current front lines, and acknowledgement of Moscow’s control over significant portions of the four other former Ukrainian regions. The deal would also reportedly prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and initiate a gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia.
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