Kit Kellogg, the U
S. President's Special Envoy for Ukraine, recently spoke openly about the importance of the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war and compared him to American President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. These remarks were made during a speech at the German Marshall Fund forum in Brussels and became one of the main messages of his address, primarily emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the situation in Ukraine by the international community, especially the United States. Kellogg highlighted that trying to convey to Donald Trump the significance of Zelensky’s efforts to achieve peace and national integrity has become a personal priority for him. During his conversation with the former U.S. President, he stressed that the Ukrainian leader is fighting for the freedom and sovereignty of his country during the most difficult period in Ukraine’s independence history. According to Kellogg, the approach to these processes is so comparable that it can be paralleled with the history of the United States during the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln fought to preserve the unity and integrity of the nation. “President Zelensky is fighting for the survival of his nation on his land, and this is the same as what Lincoln did in those distant times—struggling to preserve the United States. He is fighting not just for his country but for the principles of national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of a state that is now under pressure from a strong and aggressive enemy,” as reported by "European Truth" quoting him. Kellogg added that for many in the U.S., this aspect may not be perfectly understood, as ordinary Americans do not always put themselves in the shoes of Ukrainians and do not grasp the scale of the challenges Ukraine faces in its fight for independence. “We, in the States, often do not fully comprehend the scale of the problems Ukraine is confronting. We often simply do not imagine what it means to fight for survival and freedom amid large-scale aggression. That’s why it’s so important to tell and understand — this is not just political struggle but a fight for human values, for the future of our neighbors,” Kellogg said. In his speech, he also addressed the issue of international security policy and emphasized that the U.S. mostly considers Russia’s concerns about Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and other security aspects justified. However, he stressed Washington’s readiness for open dialogue and finding compromises for both Ukraine and Russia. “We believe Russia’s concerns about NATO expansion are valid, but at the same time, we call for diplomacy and the search for ways to coexist, because war and conflicts only deepen the crisis and ruin the lives of millions,” the diplomat underscored. Kellogg also noted that Ukraine should not abandon the negotiation process with Russia, as diplomacy remains one of the main tools in seeking peace and stability. At the same time, he urged Ukrainian leadership and the international community to maintain dignity and adhere to the principle of dialogue, understanding that only through negotiations can a lasting and just peace be achieved. Overall, according to Kit Kellogg, global leaders need to have a deeper awareness of the internal dramatic circumstances of the Ukrainian people and exert appropriate pressure on all sides of the conflict to promote a quicker and more sustainable end to the war, which has become one of the most severe humanitarian and political crises of modern times. His words remind us of the necessity for compassion, understanding, and support from the global community to create conditions under which Ukraine can once again become a fully independent and prosperous country.