Keith Kellogg, the former U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, stated that Russia is losing the war and called for negotiations to begin. He emphasized that the Ukrainian military has demonstrated remarkable resilience, having lost only about 1% of its territory since 2014.
Kellogg remarked, “If Russia were truly winning, we would see that on the other side of the Dnipro, in Kharkiv, and in Kyiv. That is not the case. My message to Moscow is simple: you are not winning; you are losing.”
He highlighted the significant losses Russia has incurred, estimating between 1.2 to 1.4 million casualties, including both dead and wounded. In comparison, he noted that the Soviet army lost only 18,000 soldiers during its withdrawal from Afghanistan. Despite these losses, Kellogg pointed out that Russia has yet to capture the remaining parts of Donbas, where Ukrainian defenses are well-fortified.
Kellogg also discussed the potential for negotiations, stating that it is primarily a European issue and that Europe should take an active role in the dialogue. He cautioned that if Ukraine were to abandon its defensive positions in Donbas, it could allow Russian forces to advance deeper into the country, potentially reaching Kyiv.
He concluded by urging Russia to cease its pretense of being able to capture more territory and to begin discussions about what it can realistically hold.
Keith Kellogg, former U.S. envoy, asserts that Russia is losing the war against Ukraine and urges for renewed negotiations. He highlights the significant losses suffered by Russia and warns against Ukraine relinquishing its defensive positions.