Keith Kellogg's departure will mean the loss of a key defender of Ukrainian affairs in Donald Trump's administration, Reuters noted.
The diplomat is respected in European countries, including Ukraine, and is perceived as a friendly representative of the American administration, which sometimes favors Russian views on the causes of the war against Ukraine.
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Reuters noted that Kellogg is much more forceful in condemning Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure than other U.S. officials.
The agency's interlocutor said that, in Kellogg's opinion, too many administration officials are dealing with Ukraine, and the administration is unaware that it is Russia, not Ukraine, that is delaying the peace talks. Another source said Kellogg never had any plans to work for the administration long-term. For now, it is not known who may take his place or whether such a nomination will take place at all.
One of Kellogg's successes is considered to be the release of a group of Alyaksandr Lukashenko's prisoners in exchange for the partial easing of sanctions against Belarus.
As Politico wrote in the summer, Kellogg was initially supposed to deal with Ukraine and Russia. However, he was removed from talks with Russia because Moscow was dissatisfied with him. His place during talks with the Russians was taken by Steve Witkoff, initially appointed envoy to the Middle East. Reuters wrote that there were arguments between Kellogg and Witkoff, who sometimes repeated Kremlin narratives.
Kellogg was not present in August in Alaska, where the Trump-Putin summit was held, because he is perceived by Russians as sympathetic to Ukraine.
