WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (V7N) — US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed retired general Keith Kellogg as his envoy for Ukraine, tasking him with negotiating an end to the ongoing Russian invasion, now approaching its third year. Trump, who campaigned on a promise to swiftly mediate peace between Kyiv and Moscow, faces criticism over potential concessions Ukraine might be pressured into making, including territorial losses or a commitment not to join NATO.

"I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia," Trump announced on social media. He highlighted Kellogg's extensive military and national security experience, including roles in the first Trump administration as National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Mike Pence.

Kellogg, 80, a vocal Trump loyalist and frequent media commentator, recently co-authored a policy paper suggesting that continued US military aid should be contingent on Ukraine's participation in peace talks with Russia. Since the 2022 invasion, Washington has provided nearly $60 billion in military support to Kyiv, but concerns have grown that Trump’s administration may reduce or condition future aid.

In a statement reflecting his stance, Kellogg emphasized that the US would continue arming Ukraine to prevent further Russian aggression, but future assistance would depend on active peace negotiations. At the Republican convention in July, he warned Ukraine of significant losses if it refused to negotiate, highlighting the human toll of prolonged conflict.

The announcement coincided with the outgoing Biden administration’s call for Ukraine to address a critical troop shortage by lowering its conscription age to 18, in line with US standards. Facing a more powerful adversary and dwindling volunteer numbers, Ukraine reportedly needs at least 160,000 additional soldiers to stabilize its forces. Despite lowering the draft age from 27 to 25 earlier this year, Ukraine’s recruitment challenges persist.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated the Biden administration's commitment to ongoing military aid, stressing that sufficient manpower remains vital for Ukraine’s defense.

With Trump's new approach and Kellogg's appointment, the international community will closely watch how US-Ukraine policy evolves under the incoming administration.