Kellogg urges Zelenskyy-Putin talks, says ‘compromises will be necessary’

Kellogg said both sides will have to engage in talks and make concessions.

He also dismissed claims that U.S. President Donald Trump intended to negotiate solely with Putin.

“It is clear to us that all three sides need to talk, especially the two key players—Russians and Ukrainians. They need to sit down and talk,” Trump’s special envoy stated.

Kellogg previously suggested that any future peace deal between Ukraine and Russia would involve Ukraine ceding territory.

The 61st Munich Security Conference is scheduled to take place in Germany from Feb. 14 to 16. This year, Ukraine’s delegation will be led by President Zelenskyy, who is set to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Earlier, Rubio stated that the primary focus for the U.S. delegation at the Munich conference would be Russia’s war against Ukraine. He has repeatedly stressed the necessity of “compromises” from both Russia and Ukraine to end the war, arguing that neither side would achieve its “maximalist goals.”

On Feb. 12, Trump held his first phone conversation with Zelenskyy after speaking with Putin. The U.S. president later described his discussions with both leaders as “great” and expressed optimism about a “good opportunity” to end the war.

Trump claimed that both Zelenskyy and Putin are willing to “make a deal” to end the war. He also said he might meet with the Russian dictator in Saudi Arabia and announced plans for a trilateral meeting between representatives of the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.