Trump envoy's delayed Kyiv visit signals U.S. strategy shift

In an interview with Ukrainian television, Mykhailo Podolyak stated that the delay in Kellogg's visit suggests that Donald Trump's administration has developed a deep understanding of the nature of the ongoing conflict.

He emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the motives of the Russian Federation and recognizing that it is unrealistic to demand something from Russia and expect a predictable response. He stressed the necessity of identifying concrete actions to exert significant influence on Russia. He also described the postponement of the visit as a "wholly positive signal."

Reuters reported earlier that Donald Trump’s envoy for Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg, had delayed his trip to Kyiv and other European capitals until after the new U.S. president's inauguration. The visit was initially planned for early January, but the final date has not yet been decided.

The Interfax-Ukraine agency reported that the delay in Kellogg's visit indicates the Trump administration is carefully analyzing information from intelligence agencies, think tanks, and other sources. According to Podolyak, an advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky, this reflects a more thoughtful approach to understanding the nature of the conflict, exploring potential solutions, and evaluating what can realistically be implemented.

General Kellogg, who served in advisory roles during Trump's first term, is expected to be a key official responsible for implementing the promise to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. In media interactions, Kellogg supported freezing the conflict and temporarily excluding Ukraine’s NATO membership while proposing security guarantees.

Donald Trump, who promised a swift end to the war during his election campaign, acknowledged in December that it might be more challenging than he initially thought. After meeting the President of Ukraine, Trump stated that Kyiv is prepared to make peace and urged Vladimir Putin to "act".