US pressuring Russia and Ukraine to enter peace talks – Keith Kellogg
Photo: Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy of the President of the United States (Getty Images)
The United States is now actively pressuring both Russia and Ukraine to bring them to the negotiating table, US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg stated during an event at the Council on Foreign Relations.
"I believe the push is to get them to engage in diplomatic activities … We know that both sides are going to have disagreements and agreements as well," he said.
Kellogg stated that the Trump administration was actively working to pressure both Russia and Ukraine. He clarified that Washington is pressuring Russia through asset seizures to fund Ukraine’s rearmament and reconstruction, as well as by imposing maximum sanctions on Russia’s energy sector. These measures, he said, are meant to push Moscow toward a peace deal.
Meanwhile, the US uses a minerals agreement as a pressure tool on Ukraine. He further explained that, more broadly, the minerals deals also included a partnership between the US and Ukraine, which could help strengthen Ukraine’s security architecture in the future. According to him, if the US had a direct economic interest in Ukraine, it would also have a direct interest in protecting its investments, which, in effect, served as a security guarantee for Ukraine.
Pressure on Ukraine
This week, it was reported that the United States suspended military aid to Ukraine, which was promised by the Joe Biden administration.
Washington also decided to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine, which greatly affects the ability of Ukrainian soldiers to defend themselves.
