Talks to end Russia's war against Ukraine are entering their final phase. Control over the Donetsk region and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains the key sticking point.
Keith Kellogg, the US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, stated this at the Reagan National Defense Forum.
"If you're a military guy, you know the last 10 meters are the hardest. And I think we're in the last 10 meters of getting this conflict resolved," he said.
According to Kellogg, if the issues regarding Donbas and the ZNPP are resolved, everything else will "fall into place."
The envoy also highlighted the scale of casualties. Russia withdrew from Afghanistan after 18,000 troops were killed, while the US left Vietnam after losing 58,000 soldiers.
"Ukraine and Russia combined have lost over 2 million. Think about that; those are horrific numbers. That is why we need to bring this conflict to an end," Kellogg said.
Kellogg's remarks about the "final 10 meters" follow a push by the Trump administration to accelerate diplomatic efforts. A draft 28-point US peace plan recently surfaced, proposing to enshrine Ukraine's neutral status in its constitution and limit the size of its armed forces. It also reportedly envisages placing Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk under de facto Russian control while maintaining their legal status as Ukrainian territory.
The Zaporizhzhia NPP remains one of the most contentious issues. Ukrainian experts warn that Russia is conducting an operation to reconnect the plant to its own power grid. According to the leaked draft, the ZNPP would be placed under IAEA control, with its electricity output split 50-50 between Ukraine and Russia.
Kellogg has previously emphasized the need to pressure both sides of the conflict. In May, he identified Putin's stance—specifically his refusal to accept terms unfavorable to Russia—as the main obstacle to peace. At the same time, the US envoy warned that Trump could walk away from the negotiation process if he feels he is being used.
