Camilla Jessen
Keith Kellogg to leave US Ukraine envoy post in early 2026.
The White House’s Ukraine team may soon undergo another reshuffling.
Keith Kellogg, appointed by Donald Trump as the US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, is preparing to step down as early as January 2026, according to reporting from Reuters.
Kellogg has not commented publicly, but several insiders say he has informed close contacts of his plans.
Internal pressures
Reuters reports that the envoy role, created as a temporary appointment, carries a 360-day limit unless extended by Senate confirmation.
Sources close to Kellogg say the legal time cap was a major factor in his decision.
Others pointed to deeper frustrations.
One source told Reuters that Kellogg believed the Ukraine policy sphere inside the Trump administration had become “overcrowded,” with several officials shaping the agenda but “failing to acknowledge Russia’s responsibility” for obstructing peace efforts.
Policy differences
While Kellogg never expected to stay in the job long-term, colleagues reportedly saw him as one of the few senior figures actively engaging with European partners and taking Kyiv’s concerns seriously.
His public criticism of Russian missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure often contrasted with the tone of others in Trump’s circle.
Friction also emerged with Steve Witkoff, another of Trump’s special envoys on Ukraine. Witkoff has faced criticism from diplomats and lawmakers for repeating Kremlin-aligned narratives and supporting a territorial compromise that analysts say would overwhelmingly benefit Moscow.
Uncertainty ahead
Earlier this month, Trump sent a War Department delegation to Ukraine for talks focused on reviving dialogue around a potential settlement.
What Kellogg’s departure means for that effort remains unclear. For now, officials say the role may remain vacant until the White House decides whether to nominate a successor who would require Senate approval.
Sources: Reuters; United24 Media
