News
21.01.2026
Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosts “The Role of the United States in the World” discussion with Keith Kellogg on the occasion of WEF 2026
On 21 Jan 2026, Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosted a discussion with US President’s Former Special Envoy for Ukraine, retired Lt.-Gen. Keith Kellogg on the topic “The Role of the United States in the World”. The event was held as a part of the UKRAINE: FUTURE’S FRONTLINE project, organized by Victor Pinchuk Foundation and PinchukArtCentre in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine. The discussion was aimed at looking into the impact of US shifting role in the global scene on peace process in Ukraine.
The discussion was moderated by Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman, Munich Security Conference.
Wolfgang Ischinger kicked off the discussion, acknowledging that the war in Ukraine is currently a major security challenge for Europe. “For most Europeans, Ukraine is currently the No 1 security challenge. And I hope that going forward that will be understood by even more Europeans - namely the fact that it’s not only about helping Ukraine, making sure that Ukraine is not going to lose this conflict, this war, but that this war is actually about us, about all of Europe, about our existential interests,” he said.
“I do believe that Europeans and Europe are much stronger than they think. They have relied for 75 years on the fact that Americans are going to be there for them. And we are going to be there. We are always going to be there. They have got so strong. And right now they have built so much. I just don’t think that they realize that,” Keith Kellogg said.
“If Europeans get their act together, they will be very, very strong collectively. And I don’t think that he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants to see that,” Keith Kellogg added.
Wolfgang Ischinger invited Keith Kellogg to share his projections of when peace deal can be reached on Ukraine. “I think we are heading, may be, towards the last stages of peace developments,” Keith Kellogg said and suggested that peace on the land in Ukraine could be seen this summer. “Ukraine is got to get through this winter, and then the advantage flows back to you. And I think that Putin will see that, and I think that over time he cannot sustain this even though he says that he can.”
“Putin has got an army that is filled primarily with the people he is paying off. Ukraine has got an army that is fighting for its nation,” he said.
Keith Kellogg also criticized the idea of giving up the rest of Ukraine-controlled Donbass in exchange for brokering a peace deal with Russia. “I’m one of those guys who doesn’t believe that giving up the land in Donetsk is the right idea. Because if you give up that land, and I’ve been there, and most of you have probably been there too, it is wide open to Kyiv after that,” Keith Kellogg said.
He also called on Ukrainians who left the country to come back and fight for its future: “You have got to stay in the fight. People live in Ukraine. You have got to stay in the fight for your country. And regarding the fact that so many people left, they need to come back and fight for it. And they will actually build a better Ukraine than it was before.”
“When you look at the technology and the growth of the people in Ukraine, you realize that it will be an exceptional and powerful nation. They have already proven it, but in the future they will prove it even more,” he said.
Keith Kellogg also stressed a couple of times though that it is Russia that is an impediment to progress in peace negotiations: “The real impediment to progress is Putin.”
Wolfgang Ischinger agreed that more pressure needs to be put on the Russian president and suggested that Europe started using Russia’s frozen assets: “It would have been highly desirable, in my opinion, for EU partners to get their act together and actually decide to take these so-called frozen assets and use them directly rather than through a new loan arrangement. I think that would have a psychological effect in Russia and elsewhere of some dimension.”
Keith Kellogg also commented on the current crisis around Greenland and US President Donald Trump’s ambition to control the island. “This is not a new issue. The USA has tried to buy Greenland for over 100 years for defence etc. So it’s not new,” Keith Kellogg said.
The project ‘Ukraine: Futures’ Frontline’ takes place on 19-22 January, 2026, on the occasion of #WEF2026 in Davos as part of a broader series of Ukrainian events designed to amplify Ukraine’s voice, highlight its resilience, and foster a dialogue on the future of the country and global security.
‘Ukraine: Future’s Frontline’ is a platform exploring our future security, prosperity and global position. Our future is shaped in Ukraine: Ukrainians defend their sovereignty and Europe’s security. And in this fight, Ukraine must be at the cutting edge of innovation. Of the competition that will determine tomorrow’s world. Ukrainians develop cutting edge drone technology, AI, and redefine standards for military and civilian technologies.
The project “Ukraine: Future’s Frontline”, organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in partnership with PinchukArtCentre and the Office of the President of Ukraine.
More information about the project “Ukraine: Future’s Frontline” is available at www.ukraineindavos.org
Photos are available here
Video will be available here www.youtube.com/user/PinchukFoundation/
