The United States has voiced growing frustration over the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, now entering its third year. Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, conveyed this sentiment during an interview with Fox News on Saturday.
Kellogg reiterated the U.S. stance that Ukraine's aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) remain unacceptable, stating unequivocally that NATO membership for Ukraine is "off the table." This position aligns with Moscow's insistence that Ukraine must not be admitted into the Western military alliance, a central grievance cited by Russia in initiating the conflict.
Despite the grim outlook, Kellogg expressed cautious optimism for a peaceful resolution. He indicated that the U.S. is advocating for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as an initial step towards truce negotiations. "We are tired of what's happening," he declared. "We have got too many issues in the world that the United States must be involved in. This war is going on way too long."
The retired General disclosed that both parties to the conflict have been provided with a "term sheet" outlining key proposals. These documents are expected to shape the trajectory of ongoing negotiations. Ukraine is scheduled to present its term sheet in London next week, where it will be reviewed and compared with Russia's version to assess the prospects for agreement.
Commenting on a minerals-related deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, Kellogg underscored its strategic importance, noting Ukraine's abundance of key resources that are scarce in America. Ukraine's mineral wealth includes cobalt (used in batteries and electric vehicles), graphite (for steel production), lithium (essential to phone and vehicle batteries), nickel (used in batteries and jet engines), and titanium (vital for fighter jet bulkheads and engines).
