US Envoy Keith Kellogg Visits Kyiv to Bolster Ukraine’s Defence

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The arrival of Keith Kellogg, the United States’ special envoy to Ukraine, in Kyiv signals a robust response to escalating tensions with Russia. Dispatched by President Donald Trump, Kellogg’s week-long visit aims to reinforce Ukraine’s security through discussions on defence, sanctions, and deeper cooperation between Washington and Kyiv. This move comes amid Russia’s relentless aggression, with President Vladimir Putin’s forces intensifying their campaign against Ukrainian cities.

Kellogg’s arrival follows Trump’s pledge to supply Ukraine with Patriot air defence missiles, a commitment that underscores a firm stance against Moscow’s tactics. In a recent statement, Trump expressed frustration with Putin’s duplicity, noting, “He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening. I don’t like it.” The Patriot systems, critical for countering Russia’s barrage of drones and missiles, will be funded by NATO allies, though specifics on the number of missiles remain undisclosed.

The decision to send Patriot missiles marks a sharp reversal from Washington’s earlier pause on arms deliveries to Ukraine, a move that had raised concerns among Kyiv’s leadership. Trump’s renewed commitment reflects a broader strategy of “peace through strength,” a principle echoed by Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office. In a Telegram post, Yermak welcomed Kellogg, stating, “Defence, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protecting our people, strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the United States — there are many topics to discuss.” He added that Russia shows no interest in a ceasefire, aligning with Trump’s approach to counter aggression with resolve.

Yermak shared a video on X of Kellogg’s arrival at Kyiv’s railway station, where the two shared a warm embrace, symbolising renewed US-Ukraine solidarity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his Sunday address, confirmed he had directed military commanders to brief Kellogg on Russia’s capabilities and Ukraine’s strategic needs, underscoring the urgency of the talks.

The backdrop to Kellogg’s visit is grim. Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its third year, has unleashed unprecedented devastation. June 2025 saw the highest civilian casualty toll in three years, with 232 killed and 1,343 wounded, according to the UN. Russian forces launched ten times more drones and missiles compared to the previous year, overwhelming Ukraine’s air defences. A recent strike in Shostka, Sumy region, killed two and injured four, including a seven-year-old, highlighting the human cost of Moscow’s campaign.

Trump’s pivot to arming Ukraine has drawn support from key allies. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, in an interview with CBS on Sunday, described the conflict as nearing an “inflexion point,” with Trump increasingly focused on helping Ukraine resist Russia’s advance. Meanwhile, European partners are stepping up. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, set to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, has proposed funding additional Patriot systems for Ukraine, building on Berlin’s donation of three units.

As Kellogg engages in high-level talks, the focus remains on equipping Ukraine to withstand Russia’s onslaught while tightening sanctions to choke Moscow’s war machine. With Putin showing no signs of relenting, the US’s renewed commitment signals a critical juncture in the conflict, one that could reshape the battlefield dynamics in Ukraine’s favour.