NBC: Kellogg is suspended from negotiations with Russia because of the pro-Ukrainian position

US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was suspended from high-level talks on ending the conflict because of the Kremlin's position. It is reported by NBC News with reference to a representative of the US administration and a Russian official. Moscow considers Kellogg's position too "pro-Ukrainian," a knowledgeable Russian official told NBC News.

"Kellogg is a former American general who is too close to Ukraine. Not our man, not the caliber we are looking for," he said.

A US administration official also told NBC News that Russia did not want Kellogg to participate in the negotiations.

Kellogg did not participate in the negotiations of the US and Russia in Riyadh on February 18, nor in the meeting of American and Ukrainian diplomats in Jeddah on March 11, the TV channel reminds.

Politico previously drew attention to Kellogg's absence from meetings. According to the staff of the US administration and Republican experts who informally advise the team of the American president, with whom the publication spoke, this emphasizes that the diplomat has been "relegated to the background."

At the same time, this indicates that the special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, occupies a central place in the negotiations, Politico sources say. In early February, The New York Times wrote that Trump secretly authorized Witkoff to expand the scope of activities beyond the Middle East to open a channel of negotiations with Russia.

Politico claimed that Kellogg's appointment as special envoy for Ukraine was met with a "sigh of relief" in Kiev and Europe, as he is considered a "hawk" towards Russia and understands the risks of an "unsuccessful" peace agreement that will be beneficial to Moscow.