Ex-Ukraine envoy Gen. Kellogg now with Trump sons at drone startup

In a matter of months, former U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg has swung through the infamous government-industry revolving door and is now advising a drone startup where he can profit directly from his recent diplomatic work and proximity to the government.

Having only departed his diplomatic post in December, Kellogg was appointed Tuesday to the advisory board of Powerus, a company which counts Donald Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr. among its investors. It aims to leverage its “strong relationship” with Ukraine to procure and market combat-tested Ukrainian drone tech for the U.S.

Kellogg can certainly further that relationship as the former Ukraine envoy. A proponent of Ukrainian drone technologies in his previous role, Kellogg collaborated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last year on a political agreement for the U.S. to invest in and purchase Ukrainian drones (although, that agreement has not yet been finalized) — perhaps piquing U.S. interest in the very product his company now brings to the American sector.

To this end, Kellogg hyped up Ukrainian drones' warfighting capacities, and what they could do for the U.S., upon his appointment to the company.

“Ukraine taught us how big of an advantage drones have been to equalize its defense against what should have been a lopsided victory for the Russians. Small, cheap, mass-produced machines now obliterate state-of-the-art tanks and missile systems worth tens of millions, and intercept waves of kamikaze drones at scale,” Kellogg said. “Powerus is bringing that equalizing power and the same capabilities to the U.S., with an American supply chain, for America’s defense and I’m honored to be helping this company execute on that mission.”

Kellogg has also recently pushed for a partial ground invasion of Iran, saying last week he is a “big believer in boots on the ground” on Kharg Island, and to secure the Strait of Hormuz. And Powerus is keen to profit from the continued war its new board member advocates — it is currently pitching its drone technologies to the UAE, which is looking to ramp up its defenses against attacks from Iran.

Kellogg is not the first former government official to have subsequently pursued roles in or adjacent to Ukraine’s drone industry.