Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, has suggested that British and French troops could be assigned to different zones of control in Ukraine. In an interview with The Times newspaper, Kellogg proposed that these troops could oversee areas to the west of the Dnipro River, with a demilitarized zone separating them from Russian-held territories in the east.
He compared the potential arrangement to the post-World War II situation in Berlin, where the city was divided into zones controlled by the U.S., the U.K., France, and the Soviet Union. Kellogg emphasized that U.S. troops would not be part of the proposed force, adding that the Dnipro River would serve as a natural barrier to avoid provoking Russia.
Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and former acting national security advisor, proposed the creation of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the existing frontlines in eastern Ukraine. This would serve as a buffer to prevent accidental clashes between Ukrainian, allied, and Russian forces. He acknowledged that violations of the ceasefire could occur, but suggested that monitoring the zone would be feasible.
While the idea has garnered attention, Kellogg admitted that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not be receptive to the proposal. Kellogg later clarified his stance, emphasizing that he was referring to a “reassurance force” in a post-ceasefire scenario, not a partitioning of Ukraine.
Britain and France are leading discussions with a coalition of 30 nations about the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces to support Ukraine’s sovereignty after a ceasefire. However, many questions remain, such as the size, mandate, and whether the U.S. would back the deployment.
Kellogg also expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations, citing ongoing talks regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources and the potential for turning economic agreements into diplomatic solutions.
