Trump Envoy Suggests Berlin-Style Partition of Ukraine
According to the report by The Times, Kellogg outlined a scenario in which British and French troops would be deployed west of the Dnipro River to serve as a "reassurance force," while Russian troops would retain control over territory they currently occupy in the east.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a startling proposal that has sparked immediate debate across Western capitals, General Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, suggested that Ukraine could be divided into zones of control reminiscent of post-World War II Berlin as part of a prospective ceasefire agreement to end the three-year war with Russia.
According to the report by The Times, Kellogg outlined a scenario in which British and French troops would be deployed west of the Dnipro River to serve as a "reassurance force," while Russian troops would retain control over territory they currently occupy in the east. Between the opposing forces, a demilitarized zone (DMZ) approximately 18 miles wide would serve as a buffer to prevent hostilities.
“You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after World War Two,” Kellogg said. “You’re west of the [Dnipro], which is a major obstacle. It’s a big enough country to accommodate several armies seeking to enforce a ceasefire.”
Although Kellogg emphasized that American troops would not be deployed on the ground, the plan implicitly acknowledges Russia's de facto control over occupied eastern Ukrainian regions—a stance that could provoke unease in Kyiv and other European capitals.
The remarks came on the same day Trump’s envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, held a four-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. In a post on Truth Social, Trump again urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire, writing: “Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war — a war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were president!!!"
According to The Times, the Kremlin has already warned not to expect breakthroughs from the St. Petersburg talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated Moscow’s opposition to any NATO peacekeeping presence and dismissed proposals that would entail the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories.
Kellogg’s partition proposal, the first from a senior Trump administration official to suggest a Dnipro-based demarcation line, has been met with criticism from analysts and European officials. Ukraine’s functioning, democratically elected government stands in sharp contrast to the postwar German regime that necessitated foreign military administration. Critics warn the analogy is both historically flawed and diplomatically insensitive, especially as Russia continues to justify its invasion under the pretext of "de-Nazification."
The general also proposed that Ukraine would hold fresh elections once a ceasefire is reached—a move likely to be viewed in Kyiv as a concession to Putin, who has repeatedly questioned President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy.
Meanwhile, relations between Washington and Kyiv appear to be cautiously improving. As reported by The Times, Kellogg noted the resumption of talks over a critical minerals deal, which could give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of lithium, titanium, and uranium in exchange for postwar reconstruction support. A Ukrainian technical delegation arrived in Washington on Friday to advance discussions.
However, Kellogg acknowledged that U.S. officials underestimated the complexities of the arrangement. “The last time anybody did a geological survey was during the Soviet era,” he said. Despite this, he framed the initiative as a necessary transition from "business deal" to "diplomatic deal."
While U.S. officials wait for Russia to present new ceasefire terms, the situation on the ground remains dire. As noted by The Times, a Russian missile strike earlier this week on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky's hometown, killed 19 people, including nine children. European leaders have cited such attacks as evidence that Moscow is not serious about peace.
Within Europe, frustration is also building over what some officials perceive as slow and inadequate planning for postwar stabilization. EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas recently questioned whether the proposed "coalition of the willing" had clear goals for their presence in Ukraine.
British Defence Secretary John Healey, speaking alongside his German and Ukrainian counterparts, pushed back, announcing a record £18 billion in military aid to Kyiv, including £4.5 billion from the UK alone for 2025. Still, Kellogg warned European leaders like UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron not to depend on American military backing. “Always plan for the worst case,” he advised.
Kellogg maintained that Trump would likely welcome increased European involvement and urged leaders to directly engage Washington. “Pick up the phone,” he said, suggesting that the current U.S. administration sees its role as guiding, rather than leading, future peace enforcement.
As the war grinds on and ceasefire discussions remain unresolved, Kellogg’s proposal has laid bare the evolving contours of Trump’s Ukraine strategy—one that appears to blend geopolitical realism with the risk of legitimizing territorial conquest. Whether this approach accelerates peace or entrenches division remains to be seen.
Within Europe, frustration is also building over what some officials perceive as slow and inadequate planning for postwar stabilization. EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas recently questioned whether the proposed "coalition of the willing" had clear goals for their presence in Ukraine.
British Defence Secretary John Healey, speaking alongside his German and Ukrainian counterparts, pushed back, announcing a record £18 billion in military aid to Kyiv, including £4.5 billion from the UK alone for 2025. Still, Kellogg warned European leaders like UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron not to depend on American military backing. “Always plan for the worst case,” he advised.
Kellogg maintained that Trump would likely welcome increased European involvement and urged leaders to directly engage Washington. “Pick up the phone,” he said, suggesting that the current U.S. administration sees its role as guiding, rather than leading, future peace enforcement.
As the war grinds on and ceasefire discussions remain unresolved, Kellogg’s proposal has laid bare the evolving contours of Trump’s Ukraine strategy—one that appears to blend geopolitical realism with the risk of legitimizing territorial conquest. Whether this approach accelerates peace or entrenches division remains to be seen.