Outgoing US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has announced that a potential deal to resolve the devastating Russia-Ukraine conflict was “really close,” depending on successfully navigating only two major remaining hurdles.
President Donald Trump has consistently characterized ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two as the most elusive foreign policy aim of his presidency. Consequently, negotiators have pushed hard to bridge the significant gaps between Moscow and Kyiv.
Kellogg, scheduled to step down in January, informed the Reagan National Defense Forum that efforts to finalize the peace agreement stood in “the last 10 metres,” which he characterized as historically the most difficult stage.
Key Territorial and Nuclear Conflicts
Consequently, the envoy identified the future status of the Donbas territory and the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest facility, currently under Russian control, as the two main outstanding issues blocking resolution. Kellogg affirmed the proximity of an agreement, stating, “We’re really, really close.” He emphasized his belief that “If we get those two issues settled, I think the rest of the things will work out fairly well.”
However, the Kremlin immediately countered Washington’s optimism, signalling significant resistance. Following four hours of high-level Kremlin talks last week, top foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov demanded the US must “make serious, I would say, radical changes to their papers” on Ukraine.
This statement signals Moscow’s continued claim to the entire Donbas region, even though Ukrainian forces still control a significant portion of the area.
Ukraine’s Stance on Territorial Integrity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has firmly stated that any transfer of Donetsk territory would be illegal without a referendum, warning that such actions could enable Russia to launch further assaults into Ukraine.
However, Zelenskiy reported a “substantive” phone call with Witkoff and Kushner, who will play a key role in drafting a potential deal.
Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general, highlighted the war’s devastating toll, estimating over 2 million casualties, including both dead and wounded. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has provided reliable figures on their losses.
Currently, Russia occupies 19.2% of Ukraine, including Crimea, all of Luhansk, and significant portions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. A leaked set of 28 US draft peace proposals has raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials, who fear it concedes too much to Moscow.
