US presidential special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that there are “two metres” left before Russia’s war in Ukraine is over, and backed the Donald Trump administration’s peace initiative, which is being discussed in Geneva on 23 November by representatives of the United States, Ukraine and European countries.
In an interview with Fox News, Kellogg, who was not named by the media as one of those who worked on the plan, unlike Trump’s other special envoy Steven Whitkoff, said he was convinced of the success of the US president’s efforts to end the war.
He recalled that at any distance, “the last ten metres are the hardest” but said he believes there are only “two metres” left before the war is over.
Kellogg noted that he had recently held talks with the Ukrainian side and expressed the opinion that Kiev still trusts Washington. In particular, as Kellogg noted, the documents under discussion also include security guarantees for Ukraine.
He called the 28-point plan published in the media this week a “framework”, noting that some of its details may need to be explained. At the same time, he expressed hope that it would be possible to “push” first Ukraine and then Russia to adopt the plan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to criticism of the plan, particularly from members of Congress, by writing on social network X that the plan was developed by the United States and is offered as a “solid basis for ongoing negotiations”.
He acknowledged that the plan is based on proposals from the Russian side, but added that it also takes into account Ukraine’s proposals.
Rubio has previously repeatedly said that both sides would need to make concessions to achieve peace.
Critics of the plan in the USA and other countries believe that it favours Russia. They are referring in particular to the clauses on the transfer of Donbass under Russian control or setting limits on the size of the Ukrainian army.
Representatives of the US administration reject this interpretation, saying that the plan is based on realities and provides for the preservation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and security guarantees for it.