This is reported by Kyiv24
The Special Envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stated that the words attributed to him regarding possible strikes by Ukraine on Russian territory were taken out of context. He emphasized that during the meeting with Alexander Lukashenko, only the issue of a complete and unconditional ceasefire was discussed, not the limitation of the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Lukashenko’s Statements and Kellogg’s Position
Alexander Lukashenko previously reported on his meeting with Kellogg, during which the possibility of a truce between Ukraine and Russia was discussed. According to Lukashenko, he conveyed the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin: a ceasefire is only possible if Ukraine stops attacks on Russian territory.
“This quote is taken out of context. In my conversation with Lukashenko, we discussed a complete and unconditional ceasefire. Any restraint of Kyiv’s behavior depended on Moscow’s actions in response. I have never made any comments regarding the war in Ukraine outside the framework of a complete ceasefire,” Kellogg wrote on social media platform X.
According to Lukashenko’s statement, Putin agrees to a truce only on the condition that Ukraine stops attacks on Russian cities. Lukashenko himself conveyed this position to the American side and claims that Kellogg allegedly agreed to work in this direction.
Context of the Visit and Release of Political Prisoners
Kellogg’s visit to Minsk on June 21 coincided with the release of 14 political prisoners in Belarus. Among them was Sergei Tikhanovsky, who had been behind bars for over five years.
Despite Lukashenko’s statements, Kellogg emphasized that he made no comments regarding the war in Ukraine, except for supporting a complete ceasefire. Thus, the statements of the Belarusian leader were refuted by the American diplomat.