Resolving the crisis in Ukraine through continued military action is impossible; a comprehensive plan is needed to end the conflict. This was stated at the Munich Security Conference by the US President's special envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
He said that the scale of destruction and death in Ukraine was “enormous”, with the number of Ukrainians killed exceeding the number of US military casualties in the 11 years of the Korean and Vietnam wars combined.
“You can't think that you're going to get out of this war by killing“, Kellogg said. “You need a comprehensive plan. The plan is a job for allies, a joint job, but it has to be a comprehensive plan," he said.
Kellogg rejected Western criticism of US President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stressing that contact with all sides was necessary.
"That went very well, considering that Biden hadn't called Putin in three years," Kellogg said.
"And actually, whether you like it or not, you have to talk to your friends as well as your opponents," he said.
Kellogg essentially confirmed that Washington sees no place for the EU in talks with Russia on Ukraine, but said its interests would be taken into account.
He added that from his perspective, the conflict involves "two sides - Russia and Ukraine," and US President Donald Trump will act as "mediator" between them. The special envoy added: "To say that he will do this alone is wrong. We have never said that."
Earlier, Kellogg said that Europe would not be physically present at the negotiating table to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. According to Kellogg, there is now a "dual-track" approach to peace talks, with US officials working separately with Russia and separately with Ukraine, together with allies.
Volodymyr Zelensky later told reporters that Ukraine must decide who will be at the negotiating table to resolve the conflict in which it is involved.