Zelensky meets Trump's envoy Kellogg in Kyiv

The Kyiv Independent ^ | 14 Jul 2025 | Tim Zadorozhnyy

[MinorityRepublican]

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg on July 14 in Kyiv, marking their third official meeting.

"We discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer," Zelensky wrote on X.

"This includes strengthening Ukraine's air defense, joint production, and procurement of defense weapons in collaboration with Europe. And of course, sanctions against Russia and those who help it."

Kellogg's arrival follows U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to send additional Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine. If approved, a new transfer would mark his first military package to Ukraine not initiated by the previous Biden administration.

The shift comes amid Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire, its ongoing missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, and mounting pressure from Kyiv for enhanced air defense systems.

Kellogg previously met with Zelensky ahead of the Recovery Conference on July 9 for what the Ukrainian president described as "substantive" talks focused on weapons supplies and sanctions.

Following their talks in Italy, Zelensky said both he and Kellogg support efforts by U.S. senators to pass legislation imposing harsher sanctions on Russia and 500% tariffs on imports from countries that purchase Russian oil.

Despite Trump's efforts to negotiate a peace deal, two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine in May and June yielded only limited prisoner exchanges, with Moscow continuing to reject calls for a ceasefire.

The latest U.S. moves signal a potential reassessment of Washington's approach amid Russia's intensified military campaign.

[larryjohnson]

I give up and I think Ukraine should too. Let Russia have it and rebuild it