U.S. President Donald Trump‘s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv on Monday for discussions focused on security and sanctions against Russia, according to the head of Ukraine’s presidential administration.
“Defence, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protecting our people, strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the United States — there are many topics to discuss,” Andriy Yermak wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Sunday that he had instructed military commanders to present Kellogg with information on Russia’s capabilities and Ukraine’s prospects.
Kellogg will also meet the heads of the Security Service of Ukraine and intelligence services, he added.
“Negotiations on further support will take place during the week,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he wanted the United States to understand fully what could be done to “compel Russia to (make) peace”.
Patriots To Ukraine
Trump said on Sunday he would send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine because they were needed to repel intensifying Russian attacks.
The U.S. President said that the weapons are essential for Ukraine’s protection, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin “talks nice but then he bombs everybody in the evening,” referring to the ongoing Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities.
He is also expected to announce a new plan to arm Ukraine with offensive weapons in a sharp departure from his earlier stance, Axios reported on Sunday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Trump, however, did not give a number of Patriot missiles he plans to send to Ukraine, but he said the United States would be reimbursed for their cost by the European Union.
The U.S. president has grown increasingly disenchanted with Putin because the Russian leader has resisted Trump’s attempts to negotiate a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
Patriot systems are among the most advanced surface-to-air missile platforms and could significantly bolster Ukraine’s ability to intercept incoming threats.
(With inputs from Reuters)
