--- title: "Kellogg on the dynamics of Trump and Zelensky's relationship: 'work with the advisors'" description: "Former Trump special envoy Kit Kellogg stated that the relationship between the two presidents has improved, and advised Kyiv to engage more actively with White House advisors — Rubio, Bessent, and Hegseth — while rejecting rumors of plans to replace Zelensky." date: 2026-08-26T07:50:06.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kellogg-trump-zelensky-relationship-advice-for-kyiv tags: [kit-kellogg, donald-trump, volodymyr-zelensky, us-ukraine-relations, oval-office, marco-rubio, scott-bessent, pete-hegseth] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kellogg on the dynamics of Trump and Zelensky's relationship: 'work with the advisors' ![Mark Kellogg at a panel discussion: comments on the dynamics of the Trump-Zelensky relationship and working with advisors](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/26/kellog-otnosheniya-trampa-i-zelenskogo-sovety-kievu/kellog-otnosheniya-trampa-i-zelenskogo-sovety-kievu-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Kellogg characterized the relationship between Trump and Zelensky as one of "restrained respect" and noted its improvement over the recent period - The former special envoy advised Kyiv to work with Trump's advisors — Rubio, Bessent, and Hegseth — in order to exert real influence on White House decisions - Kellogg rejected claims that the replacement of Zelensky was discussed after the Oval Office conflict in February 2025, citing his personal presence at the meeting - In Kellogg's assessment, a swift end to the war is impossible, since Putin is not ready to stop the fighting Kit Kellogg, former special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, gave a detailed assessment of the current state of bilateral relations between Washington and Kyiv in an interview with journalist Natalia Moiseychuk, published by RBC-Ukraine. According to him, the interaction between the two presidents has noticeably improved over the past period: in Kellogg's words, a "relationship of restrained respect" has formed between Trump and Zelensky. At the same time, the American diplomat emphasized that for effective cooperation between the two capitals, it is not enough to limit contact to the level of heads of state — Kyiv needs to build a systematic engagement with the key figures of the U.S. administration who directly shape the White House agenda. ### "Like poles of a magnet": the psychological portrait of the dialogue Kellogg drew attention to the similar character traits of both leaders, which, in his apt observation, makes their interaction at times resemble the behavior of like poles of a magnet — attraction and repulsion follow one another with predictable periodicity. Despite this complex dynamic, the former special envoy called Volodymyr Zelensky a "man of courage" who is leading a country amid a full-scale war. Earlier, in February 2025, Kellogg used a similar formulation in an interview with RFI, calling Zelensky a "brave leader of a country at war," which confirms the consistency of his assessments over several months. ### Who in Washington Kyiv should be calling The central practical piece of advice from Kellogg was a recommendation for the Ukrainian side to redirect part of its diplomatic efforts toward working with specific advisors to the U.S. president, whose influence on White House decisions, in his assessment, substantially exceeds the formal channels. As priority contacts, he named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. "If you really want to have influence, work with the advisors," Kellogg stated, emphasizing that it is at this level that concrete changes in Washington's policy can be achieved. He also explained that one of the key reasons for his own work in Ukraine was the need to better understand the situation on the ground and determine what exact message should be conveyed to Trump so that it would be received adequately. ### Kellogg's version of the Oval Office conflict A separate part of the interview is devoted to the incident in the Oval Office that took place in February 2025, after which claims appeared in the public space that the American side had allegedly discussed the possibility of replacing the Ukrainian president. Kellogg categorically rejected this version, emphasizing that he was personally present at that meeting and heard no such proposals from Trump or from anyone else present. In his assessment, what happened was the result of the two presidents having, at a certain point, "lost contact" with each other, although both were subsequently ready to resume the dialogue. Kellogg also noted that Trump is striving to end the war and is deeply affected by human losses, which, in his words, is an important factor in shaping the American position on the Ukrainian settlement. ### Prospects for a settlement: why there will be no quick peace Concluding the interview, Kellogg offered a cautious but unambiguous assessment of the prospects for ending hostilities: one cannot yet count on a swift end to the war, since, in his words, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not ready to stop the fighting. This statement fits into the broader context of Kellogg's public remarks, in which he had earlier, in particular in conversations recorded by Ukrainian TV channels TSN and 24tv, explained Washington's position on territorial issues, using the formulation "You want the Donetsk region — fight for it," which underscores the rigidity of the American approach to Kyiv's negotiating positions. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Kellogg made an important statement about the relationship between Trump and Zelensky](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/kellog-zrobiv-vazhlivu-zayavu-vidnosini-trampa-1787730391.html) - Первичный источник интервью. Содержит все ключевые цитаты и тезисы, использованные в статье. - ["Fight for it": Kellogg revealed whether Trump demanded Zelensky hand over the entire Donbas territory](https://tsn.ua/ru/politika/voyuyte-za-nee-kellog-raskryl-treboval-li-tramp-u-zelenskogo-otdat-vsyu-territoriyu-donbassa-3155864.html) - Подтверждает контекст публичных высказываний Келлога по территориальным вопросам и позиции Трампа. - ["You want the Donetsk region — fight for it": Kellogg explained Trump's position on ...](https://24tv.ua/ru/tramp-putin-kit-kellog-rasskazal-o-pozicii-amerikanskogo-prezidenta_n3130100) - Дополнительный контекст по формулировкам Келлога относительно территориальных претензий. Совпадает с цитированием в основной статье. - [Kit Kellogg called Zelensky a "brave leader of a country at war"](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20250221-%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%82-%D0%BA%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B3-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%BC-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%8E%D1%8E%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%8B) - Датируется 21.02.2025. Подтверждает последовательность оценок Келлога в адрес Зеленского, но относится к более раннему высказыванию, чем основное интервью РБК. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What did Kit Kellogg say about the relationship between Trump and Zelensky? **A:** Kellogg stated that a "relationship of restrained respect" has formed between the two presidents, which has improved over the recent period. He compared their interaction to the behavior of like poles of a magnet due to their similar character traits. ### Q: Who did Kellogg advise the Ukrainian side to consult with in Washington? **A:** The former special envoy named three specific people: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, emphasizing that it is precisely with the advisors that real changes in White House policy can be achieved. ### Q: Was the replacement of Zelensky discussed at the Oval Office meeting in February 2025? **A:** Kellogg categorically rejected this version, stating that he was personally present at the meeting and heard no such proposals. In his assessment, the incident was the result of the two presidents losing contact with each other, after which both were ready to resume the dialogue. ### Q: What is Kellogg's assessment of the prospects for a swift end to the war? **A:** Kellogg stated that one cannot yet count on a swift end to the war, since, in his words, Vladimir Putin is not ready to stop the fighting.