Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg called on Russia to implement an immediate ceasefire following threats of World War III from a senior Russian official.
The exchange began when Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev responded to Trump’s recent comments that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “playing with fire” and that “very bad things” were happening to Russia.
Medvedev warned that he knew of only “one VERY BAD thing – World War III,” adding that he hoped “Trump understands this,” according to his post on social media platform X.
Kellogg characterized Medvedev’s statement as “an unfortunate and reckless comment” that was “unfitting of a world power.”
The special envoy emphasized that President Trump is “working to stop this war and end the killing.”
According to Kellogg, the US is still awaiting a Russian memorandum containing Moscow’s terms for a potential agreement, which he said Russia had promised to deliver a week earlier.
“We await receipt of RU Memorandum (Term Sheet) that you promised a week ago. Cease fire now,” Kellogg stated.
According to Kellogg’s previous statements, the US received a list of conditions from Kyiv regarding ending the war but had not yet received corresponding terms from Moscow.
Ukraine’s terms emphasize a full ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and security guarantees, while firmly rejecting Russian demands such as territorial concessions or recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied regions. Moscow also insists on Ukraine abandoning NATO membership plans, adopting neutrality, lifting some Western sanctions, and providing protections for Russian-speaking populations.
Kyiv continues to consider venues like the Vatican for negotiations, though Russia has rejected this option.