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U.S. General Keith Kellogg, nominated as Ukraine peace envoy by President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the recent assassination of Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov during an interview with Fox News on Dec. 18.
Kirillov and his assistant were reportedly killed on Dec. 17 in Moscow by a bomb attached to a scooter. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility, calling him a “war criminal” who allegedly ordered the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops.
Kellogg said the incident was a potential violation of the rules of warfare, however, emphasizing that it does not obstruct possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Kellogg acknowledged that Kirillov's targeting could be seen as legitimate, given the accusations against him. However, he cautioned that killing military officers in their hometowns may "escalate tensions."
"When you kill admirals or generals in their hometown, it's kind of like you're extending it. And I don’t think it’s a smart thing to do," Kellogg said.
He added that the alleged use of a mercenary in Kirillov’s assassination was "not a good idea at all."
Russian security forces have detained two suspects over the assassination of a top Kremlin general and his assistant in Moscow.
Two sources cited by Russian media outlet RBC indicated that investigators consider Ukrainian involvement the most plausible scenario.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
