Keith Kellogg, US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Photo: Getty Images
The US President’s Special Representative for Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, has voiced one of the most concrete initiatives to end the war currently being discussed in the West. In an interview with Fox News , he said that the war could be temporarily “frozen” by creating a 30-kilometre demilitarised zone along the front line and implementing a 30-day ceasefire, which could be a “decisive moment”.
According to Kellogg, the Ukrainian side is ready to withdraw troops 15 km from the contact line, provided that Russia does the same. This will allow for the formation of a controlled corridor that will be under international monitoring.
Coalition of the willing and air control
Kellogg clarified that the monitoring of the demilitarised zone could be carried out by troops of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, which could include the UK, France, Germany and at least 12 other countries. In particular, this includes patrolling the airspace west of the Dnipro River.
“We are talking about a clear disengagement of forces on both sides, control by the international community and the creation of a zone where any violation will be visible. This is possible,” he said.
The war may not resume?
Kellogg believes that once a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire is reached, the parties can avoid a resumption of hostilities:
“If the fighting stops even for a short time, it will be very difficult to start the war again.”
Trump as a key figure?
It is significant that Kellogg directly links the implementation of this scenario to the possible return of Donald Trump to power.
“The only person in the world who can achieve a real result is Donald Trump,” he said, alluding to the former president’s position on the war in Ukraine.
This is yet another signal that parallel diplomatic tracks on Ukraine are being formed in American political circles, some of which may become the basis of US election rhetoric.
What does this mean for Ukraine?
Kellogg’s idea is an unofficial signal of possible negotiations that is increasingly being heard from Washington. Although Kyiv has not officially commented on the proposal, it may be discussed at upcoming peace summits, including the one in Switzerland in June.
However, demilitarisation is not peace, but a pause, and its terms must be clearly agreed upon so as not to entrench Russian aggression in the new status.
