“Time is working in Kyiv’s favor,” – said Keith Kellogg, the former U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Time is working in Kyiv’s favor.

Former U.S. special representative for Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg, said this in an interview with the The Kyiv Independent.

In his view, the Kremlin is now trying to find the “best possible way out” of the war—one in which, he claims, Russia has already been defeated.

Kellogg said that despite near-daily attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Russia has failed to achieve the goals it set at the start of the war. He added that Vladimir Putin’s idea of victory differs significantly from reality.

“Putin’s definition of victory is not my definition. I think he has failed. I think Russia has failed,” the general emphasized.

From a strategic point of view, Kellogg believes time “plays into” Ukraine’s hands.

“When winter ends and the days get longer, I think that will be better for Ukraine than for Russia in the long term,” Keith Kellogg said.

The outlet notes that the American general left his post in the White House administration at the end of 2025. He explained the decision as a desire to speak more freely about the situation in Ukraine. At the same time, he stressed that his resignation was not the result of disagreements with the Ukraine policy of Donald Trump’s administration; rather, it allowed him to discuss his views openly without needing to stick to an official government line.

Kellogg also suggested that his involvement in negotiations may have been undesirable for the Kremlin because of his pro-Ukraine stance. He said the Russian side might have seen him as too biased and therefore unacceptable for participation in such talks.

“I don’t think the Russians necessarily wanted me on that part of the team,” Kellogg said.

He also announced he may return to Kyiv in the near future.