Ukraine’s expectations on Trump and Kellogg's role are “cautiously optimistic” — national security expert

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Considering that Kellogg has occasionally expressed not so much sympathy as empathy for Ukraine in his discussions, one can hope that he will continue his previous tradition. Although, it’s just hope. I understand that the challenges awaiting Ukraine, due to the illusions prevailing in Trump’s team, are illusions about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Russia in such a way that the national interests of the United States are not compromised. It’s about satisfying the desire of many, if not most, Americans to take a break from the fatigue caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war. And I think that the Trump administration will allow its citizens to live in these illusions for quite a long period, which, for Ukraine, will seem like an eternity, but will be just a few months in the United States. Until they realize that Putin is a scoundrel who doesn’t care about the interests of the United States, who doesn’t keep his word, who blatantly disregards any systemic global security issues and, in principle, issues of democracy and adherence to rules in international coexistence," said Varchenko.

He noted that the officials proposed by Trump for key positions lack a coherent action plan.

"Therefore, I think that for a few months, Keith Kellogg, along with the rest of the administration’s team - currently the transition team - and then in the early months after the inauguration of the president’s administration, will still be looking for a strategy regarding Ukraine. At this point, the individual statements made by some of the people who could become top officials in the administration are quite varied and even contradictory, so it’s not possible to speak of a coherent program at the moment," said the Ukrainian serviceman.

At the same time, Ivan Varchenko hopes that such a plan will eventually be developed.

"I hope that by the New Year and the inauguration, they will have developed their plan of action regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war. And we will be dealing with part of this plan, although we must prepare for serious challenges. We must understand that, possibly, European countries, realizing that traditional institutions in the United States, which served as tools of deterrence in international conflicts, may continue to collapse, might take on greater responsibility, including in supporting Ukraine. It’s a rather cautiously optimistic expectation, both regarding the actions of Trump’s administration and Keith Kellogg," he believes.

• On November 27, it was announced that newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump nominated retired General Keith Kellogg for the position of Special Representative for the Resolution of the War in Ukraine.