Special Envoy Kellogg Proposes Division of Responsibility in Ukraine

According to RIA Novosti on April 12, quoting US President's special envoy on Ukraine Keith Kellogg, the Times said that after the conflict ends, Ukraine could be divided into controlled zones following the Berlin scenario.

“The situation could be a bit like what happened to Germany after World War II, when there was a Russian-controlled zone, a French-controlled zone, a British-controlled zone and an American-controlled zone,” the article said.

According to Mr. Kellogg, Ukraine could be divided into several zones of control, where troops from several countries would be stationed. At the same time, British and French troops would be stationed in western Ukraine as a re-security force. Between them and Russian forces, there could be Ukrainian forces and a buffer zone. However, the interview noted that the presence of a group of troops from London and Paris west of the Dnieper River would not be aggressive toward Moscow.

Mr. Kellogg also emphasized that the US would not deploy any ground forces there and a demilitarized zone about 30 kilometers wide could be established along existing control lines in the East.

"You look at a map, there's no better term than a demilitarized zone. Pull back 15 kilometers on both sides. And you have a demilitarized zone that you can control, and you have this no-fire zone. You can control it pretty easily. Are there violations? Probably, because there's always a possibility. But the control is easy," the newspaper quoted Mr. Kellogg as saying.

The article also wrote about the special envoy's doubts about Moscow's readiness to accept such a proposal.

Mr. Kellogg later wrote on social network X that the Times had distorted his words.

"The Times article distorts what I said. I was talking about a post-ceasefire force that would support Ukrainian sovereignty. In discussions about partition, I talked about zones or areas of responsibility for allied forces, excluding American troops. I had no intention of partitioning Ukraine," Mr. Kellogg wrote.

In addition, in an interview with the Times, the special envoy touched on the topic of presidential elections in Ukraine and noted that the United States supports holding these elections.

"I think if there is a ceasefire, there will be elections. Because they should have been held for almost a year now. They haven't been held yet. But I think Mr. Zelensky is ready to do that as soon as there is a ceasefire and some resolution. But that's an initiative for the Ukrainian people in the Ukrainian parliament. Not for us," Kellogg said.