US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kellogg: Putin is ignoring the opportunities that Trump has given him.

US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kellogg: Putin is ignoring the opportunities that Trump has given him.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen a surge in casualties, with the US Special Envoy for Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, expressing grave concern over the escalating violence. Speaking on Fox & Friends, Kellogg lamented that the "industrial-strength killing" in Ukraine has resulted in casualty rates "beyond World War II numbers," with over 1.2 million casualties so far [1].

Kellogg, who has maintained amicable relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscored that negotiations are the sole way to end the bloodshed. He specifically highlighted the role of former US President Donald Trump, who has been positioning himself as a neutral negotiator between Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg noted that Trump has been the "only guy" who can lead these deliberations and that his efforts to secure a ceasefire should be recognized [1].

Trump's involvement in the peace process has been met with mixed reactions. While he has held lengthy discussions with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the recent drone and missile attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities have drawn strong criticism from Trump and many Republicans in Congress. Trump has accused Putin of going "absolutely crazy" and has called for more aggressive sanctions on Russia [2, 3].

The Russian attacks, which included more than 300 drones in a single day, have been condemned as a violation of international law, specifically the 1977 Geneva Protocol. Kellogg argued that such attacks, which target civilian populations indiscriminately, are a clear violation of the protocol and that Russia's actions need to be met with increased pressure [1].

Despite the setbacks, the European Union has pledged to impose additional sanctions on Russia in response to its escalating military actions. The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, described the recent attacks as "totally appalling" [3].

The ongoing conflict has significant financial implications, with the escalation of violence impacting global markets and energy prices. As the situation remains fluid, investors and financial professionals are closely monitoring the developments for potential impacts on their portfolios.

References:
[1] https://nypost.com/2025/05/27/us-news/top-us-envoy-decries-industrial-strength-killing-in-ukraine-says-casualties-beyond-wwii-numbers/
[2] https://www.npr.org/2025/05/26/nx-s1-5412389/trump-putin-absolutely-crazy
[3] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-says-putin-has-gone-absolutely-crazy-as-russia-escalates-drone-attacks-on-ukraine