President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, appeared on Newsmax on Thursday to discuss the president’s economic strategy and its potential to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Kellogg said.
Monaka exterior Kellogg said on “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” that President Trump’s economic strategy includes manipulating global oil markets to undermine Russia’s economy. Kellogg said the strategy is one possible outcome of a meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Trump Tower last year.
“The president was from a different place. He said we need to stop the genocide,” Kellogg said.
“But he pivoted, and I think it was very, very wise, he pivoted to economics. For example, when he spoke at Davos about oil prices, If we drop it by, say, $45 a barrel, that’s a kind of break-even point. Once we get there, it’s going to be a huge blow to the Russian economy.”
Kellogg said the tactic not only seeks to weaken Russia economically, but also avoids further bloodshed and pivots toward economic negotiations.
“So if you look at the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia and the price of oil, Russia could start to take a big hit economically,” Kellogg said. “And you really have to start thinking from there, because you’re not going to destroy yourself from this war, Greta, you’re not. It’s got to be something other than killing. And that’s where economic factors start to come into play.”
Mr. Kellogg also shared insight on the meeting between President Trump and Mr. Zelensky, where he said an economic solution win-win for both countries was discussed.
“I think President Trump, when he met with Mr. Zelensky last September at Trump Tower, said that he thought they could work out something that would be good for both sides and that it was time to do it. And I think he was absolutely right. I think he can do it. He’s the only one who can end this war,” Kellogg said. “And he’s going to work hard at it. We’ve talked to a lot of principals, and I think you can see verbally and in the media that Putin may not be ready.” But I think everyone is ready to do this.”
During their meeting last year, Trump and Zelensky told reporters that both sides hoped to see an end to the conflict and a “fair agreement.”
“It has to stop. The president (Zelensky) wants it to stop, and I’m sure President Putin wants it to stop. It’s a good combination,” Trump said at the time. (Related: Report: More taxpayer aid headed to Ukraine as Biden term ends)
President Trump spoke Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying the ongoing war in Ukraine connected to oil prices. He said lower oil prices could end the conflict.
“The cost right now is high enough for the war to continue,” Trump said.
“We have to bring the price of oil down. You can end that war.”
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
