Trump Envoy Meets Zelenskyy Amid Ukraine Weapons Push/ newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg met President Zelenskyy in Kyiv as the U.S. signals increased support for Ukraine amid Russia’s relentless attacks. Trump, once skeptical of aid, now calls for expanded weapon shipments. Talks include air defenses, sanctions, and production partnerships.
Trump Envoy’s Ukraine Visit Quick Looks
- Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg meets President Zelenskyy in Kyiv
- U.S. weighs shifting policy amid Russian escalation
- Trump increasingly critical of Putin’s continued attacks
- Ukraine seeks Patriot missiles, arms production partnerships
- Record weapon flows expected to Ukraine in coming weeks
- Germany pledges more Patriots, European allies discuss funding
- Russia dismisses U.S. pressure tactics, urges dialogue
- Civilian casualties in Ukraine hit highest level in June
- Trump previously labeled Zelenskyy “dictator without elections”
- European nations coordinating weapon purchases from U.S.
Deep Look
Trump Envoy Meets Zelenskyy As U.S. Considers Next Steps In Russia’s War On Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine — U.S. President Donald Trump’s diplomatic posture toward Ukraine appears to be evolving rapidly, as his special envoy, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, traveled to Kyiv on Monday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit came at a pivotal moment, as Russian forces intensify their offensive and the Trump administration signals a potential shift in its policy on the three-year-old conflict.
Arriving at Kyiv’s railway station, Kellogg was greeted by Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, setting the stage for high-level discussions on military cooperation and diplomatic strategy.
Trump had recently teased a significant announcement on Russia, coinciding with a scheduled meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington. Rutte, in turn, planned further talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and congressional leaders to coordinate transatlantic responses to Russia’s aggression.
While Trump has long touted his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the continued bombardment of Ukrainian cities appears to have tested his patience. Initially, Trump criticized Zelenskyy, accusing the Ukrainian leader of prolonging the war and once labeling him a “dictator without elections.” He also repeatedly suggested that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to negotiate peace.
However, a series of relentless Russian airstrikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine has shifted Trump’s rhetoric.
In April, Trump publicly demanded that Putin “STOP!” the ongoing bombardments. By May, he was venting frustration online, declaring that the Russian leader “has gone absolutely CRAZY!” as missile and drone attacks continued to devastate Ukrainian cities.
Speaking late Sunday, Trump acknowledged his growing disillusionment with Putin. “I am very disappointed with President Putin. I thought he was somebody that meant what he said,” he told reporters. “He’ll talk so beautifully and then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that.”
Zelenskyy offered a cautiously optimistic view of his talks with Kellogg. In a statement posted to Telegram, the Ukrainian president described the meeting as “productive,” highlighting discussions on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, pursuing joint weapons production with the U.S., and expanding purchases of U.S. arms in collaboration with European partners. The two leaders also addressed the possibility of implementing tougher international sanctions on the Kremlin.
“We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ambitions are stopped by force,” Zelenskyy said.
Russia’s military escalation has sharply increased the urgency for defensive measures. Ukrainian cities have endured relentless attacks by drones and missiles, with the U.N. reporting 232 civilian deaths and 1,343 wounded in June alone — the highest civilian casualty count in the past three years. Russia reportedly launched ten times as many drones and missiles in June 2025 as it did in June 2024, placing immense strain on Ukraine’s air defenses.
To counter the onslaught, Trump confirmed that the U.S. is dispatching additional Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine. He noted that European nations would cover costs for “various pieces of very sophisticated” American weaponry.
Although the European Union, as a bloc, is prohibited under its treaties from purchasing arms, individual member states are free to buy weapons and supply them to Ukraine, a mechanism many NATO allies have utilized.
Germany has emerged as a critical partner in bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius announced Monday that Berlin is prepared to finance two additional Patriot systems for Ukraine. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who has already overseen the transfer of three German Patriot batteries to Kyiv, traveled to Washington this week for further discussions with U.S. officials.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Pistorius noted that Germany retains only six Patriots after previous transfers, underscoring the strain on European military inventories.
Trump’s evolving stance has garnered cautious praise from some corners of Washington. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a key Trump ally, said Sunday that the conflict is reaching a decisive turning point as the U.S. appears poised to escalate military support for Kyiv.
“In the coming days, you’ll see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves,” Graham said during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” He added, “One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump. And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there’s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table.”
Meanwhile, Russian officials have downplayed U.S. efforts to isolate Moscow diplomatically. Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international investment, dismissed talk of Washington leveraging pressure against the Kremlin.
“Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective than doomed-to-fail attempts at pressure,” Dmitriev posted on Telegram. “This dialogue will continue, despite titanic efforts to disrupt it by all possible means.”
As the diplomatic and military landscape shifts, all eyes remain on Trump’s promised “major statement” on Russia — and whether his administration’s rhetoric will translate into a robust policy to counter Moscow’s aggression and support Ukraine’s survival.
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