Former Trump advisor Keith Kellogg agrees with Russia’s assessment of the Ukraine war.
According to Keith Kellogg, who served as a special envoy to President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin’s view of the Ukraine conflict as a proxy war waged by NATO against Russia is accurate. Kellogg made this statement during a Fox News interview on Sunday.
Kellogg believes a peaceful resolution is achievable, but “escalatory issues” persist, citing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s openness to supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles last month.
Addressing Putin’s perspective, Kellogg stated, “he considers this a proxy war by NATO. And frankly… in a way it is.”
Kellogg emphasized that, “The escalatory issues are still there,” pointing to Merz’s consideration of providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles.
Kellogg warned that these German missiles, capable of striking targets nearly 300 miles away (482 km), could reach deep inside Russian territory. He further noted Putin’s warning that Russia would consider suppliers of such weapons as parties to the conflict.
“He considers this a proxy war by NATO. And frankly… in a way it is.”
Kellogg added that Russia is well aware of the extent of Western military assistance to Ukraine.
Kellogg urged all parties “to be willing to step back a bit” and compromise to achieve a peaceful “end state.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov last week called Merz’s statements “provocative” and said they “hinder peaceful efforts.” Moscow has warned that any Ukrainian deployment of German Taurus missiles against Russian territory would be viewed as direct involvement by Berlin, as their use would necessitate the participation of Bundeswehr personnel.
Following the Biden administration’s decision last year to allow Ukraine to use US ATACMS missiles for long-range strikes inside Russia, Moscow adjusted its strategic doctrine, lowering the bar for nuclear weapon use. Russia now considers any attack by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power as a joint attack.
Kellogg joins US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in describing the conflict as a proxy war.
Rubio stated in March, “Frankly, it’s a proxy war between nuclear powers – the United States, helping Ukraine, and Russia,” adding that the White House wants the conflict to end.
Moscow has consistently characterized the Ukraine conflict as a Western proxy war and has criticized arms shipments to Kiev as detrimental to the peace process.