Keith Kellogg, the special envoy for Ukraine appointed by President Donald Trump, has made a statement that has sparked reactions. Kellogg claimed that Ukraine is prepared to give up parts of its territory occupied by Russia, but not in a legal sense, rather a de facto one.
“The Ukrainians have stated that they are willing to give up land… not de jure, permanently, but de facto because the Russians have effectively occupied it,” Kellogg said late on Wednesday.
He added that Ukrainian officials confirmed this stance to him just last week.
Currently, Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including significant industrial regions.
This statement comes as the Trump administration is attempting to mediate a peace deal between the two countries, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far refused to agree to a permanent ceasefire. However, Putin announced a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to May 11, which Kellogg called “absurd.”
