President Donald Trump’s phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was like “a business meeting,” retired General Keith Kellogg said on Thursday.
In an interview with Kyra Phillips on ABC News, the special envoy on Ukraine expressed optimism about a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
“I think we are closer to peace and a ceasefire than we’ve ever been in the last three years because of Donald J. Trump,” Kellogg stated.
The top negotiator described the tone of the call as “incredible” and confirmed that the discussion did not touch on controversial areas.
“From the Zaporizhzhia region nuclear power plant to the young children taken hostage in Russia, to the precious metals deal, it was a full and wide-ranging discussion,” Kellogg hinted.
“It was really good, a give-and-take on both sides. The President led the discussions—we just sat back and observed, as that is our role as advisers.”
Kellogg said the US takeover of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, was part of the security guarantee for Ukraine.
“The President said that if we control that, it not only helps the Zaporizhzhia region but also provides security. Zelenskyy picked up on that and said, ‘This is not a bad idea.’ He kind of agreed to it.”
Regarding the tense White House meeting three weeks ago, Kellogg said Ukraine’s leader realised he was dealing with “a different politician and leader.”
Kellogg recalled how Zelenskyy was cautioned against putting on a show before the media: “We forewarned him that morning, ‘Don’t go there.’”
Before the meeting, at The Hay-Adams Hotel, Kellogg and 13 senators advised Zelenskyy on what to expect at the Oval Office so that he would not be caught off guard.
Kellogg also revealed that they made it clear to the Ukrainian Head of State that President Trump was not like former President Joe Biden.
“The interview was fine until the press came in,” the President’s assistant said. “It was like a light switch flipped, and everything changed.”
