General Keith Kellogg, the special envoy of the Trump administration for Ukraine and Russia, is set to meet with President Andrzej Duda today. According to Minister Wojciech Kolarski, the Polish president will reiterate his country’s steadfast position: Russia must not be allowed to win the war, and no lasting peace can be achieved without Ukraine’s participation in the negotiations.
Gen. Kellogg has emphasized the need for more effective enforcement of sanctions against Russia, also calling on Western nations to reduce Moscow’s revenues from oil sales. When asked when the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine would be finalized, he noted that the new Trump administration has been in power for less than a month. Kellogg also acknowledged that “territorial concessions” may be part of any peace agreement.
“Europe Won’t Be at the Negotiating Table”
Earlier, Gen. Kellogg stated bluntly that “Europe will not be directly at the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine, because we don’t want a repeat of Minsk.” He added that part of his role is to gather and consider European countries’ views on the matter. The upcoming meeting with President Duda was announced in recent days by officials from the Polish Presidential Chancellery, including Chief of Staff Małgorzata Paprocka and Head of the Presidential International Policy Bureau (BPM) Wojciech Kolarski.
Poland’s Position
Kolarski said the meeting provides President Duda with the chance to clearly state Poland’s stance on bringing the war to an end.
“From the first day of the full-scale invasion, the president has consistently presented Poland’s position: Russia cannot win this war. That position will always be put forward by the president, including during this meeting,” – Kolarski underlined.
He pointed out that this will be the only meeting Gen. Kellogg holds in Europe with a head of state, and he recalled last week’s visit by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Poland, during which Hegseth also met with President Duda.
“This visit results from many years of consistent efforts by President Duda to build close ties with the United States. It is also proof of the respect he enjoys among President Donald Trump’s associates and the president himself, as well as the close relationship between President Duda and the new U.S. administration,” – Kolarski added.
Next Stop: Ukraine
After visiting Poland, Gen. Kellogg will travel to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he expects the U.S. envoy to arrive in Kyiv on Thursday, February 20.
“We are waiting for Kellogg. We have agreed that he will come on the 20th (of February) and stay for two days, maybe longer; I want to take him to the front (…) I believe he will not refuse,” – Zelensky told reporters during a visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Talks in Saudi Arabia
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff are scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia for discussions with Russian officials on ending the war in Ukraine. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. Gen. Kellogg is not expected to join these talks.
The upcoming U.S.-Russia meeting has been criticized by Ukrainian authorities. “We have not been invited and we will not recognize the outcome,” President Zelensky said on Monday.
When asked about these negotiations, Kolarski stressed that the outcome is uncertain:
“What we can do is present Poland’s stance. Thanks to President Duda’s position, we can do so. (…) For a lasting and just peace to be achieved, Ukraine must be a partner in the talks. Without Ukrainian involvement, no stable peace can be reached,” – the BPM head stated.
“Ukraine Will Decide Its Future”
Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, Gen. Kellogg underscored that nobody would force Ukrainian President Zelensky into a peace deal with Russia.
“It is up to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people to decide on peace with Russia,” – Kellogg said, adding that his trip to Ukraine is still being finalized. He confirmed he will meet with Zelensky during his stay, noting that he aims to “listen to and understand” the Ukrainian perspective before any decisions are made.