Trump calls Kellogg "idiot" for supporting Zelenskyy — media

The New York Times reported the information.

In February 2025, Kellogg had described Zelenskyy on the social network X as a brave leader of a nation in a state of war.

Shortly after this, he visited the Oval Office, where a dispute arose between him and the U.S. president. The publication recounted the dialogue between Kellogg and Trump.

Trump sharply asked whether he was calling Zelenskyy brave and courageous.

Kellogg replied that indeed he was, explaining that it was an existential struggle on Ukrainian soil for the survival of his nation. He added that the last time an American president had faced something similar was Abraham Lincoln.

When retelling this episode later to other advisors, Trump muttered that he was an idiot.

The publication also noted that Trump considered Russia strong and Ukraine weak.

During one of the meetings at the White House, Kellogg told Trump that this was nonsense and that the Russians were not invincible.

• Earlier, Reuters agency had reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, had informed his colleagues that he was planning to leave the administration in January 2026.