KYIV, Ukraine — On Friday, the United States representative to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, expressed that he had engaged in “extensive and positive discussions” with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia. He described Zelenskyy as an “embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war.”
Kellogg, who had arrived in Kyiv earlier in the week, shared his sentiments following a day filled with discussions with top Ukrainian officials, although a planned news conference with Zelenskyy was unexpectedly replaced with a simpler photo opportunity. His optimistic remarks contrasted starkly with recent critical comments directed at Zelenskyy by former President Trump and other high-ranking U.S. officials, which hinted at a worrying deterioration in their relationship. Trump had characterized Zelenskyy as “a dictator without elections” and advised him to act swiftly to negotiate peace or he may risk losing leadership of his nation.
Talk of potential cuts to essential U.S. military assistance to Ukraine loomed over the discussions in Kyiv, where government forces continue to face significant challenges against the larger Russian military force on the battlefield. In light of these tensions, European nations have begun to bolster their support for Zelenskyy while aiming to maintain stable transatlantic relations. Polish President Andrzej Duda reported that he spoke with Zelenskyy on Friday, encouraging him to pursue a path of calm and constructive collaboration with Trump.
“We firmly believe that the only way to halt the violence and secure lasting peace in Ukraine is through U.S. support,” Duda expressed to Zelenskyy. He also conveyed his confidence in Trump’s negotiation approach, highlighting the importance of goodwill and sincerity within the framework of the discussions. “I trust that President Trump is guided by a profound sense of responsibility for global stability and peace,” Duda stated on social media.
Next week, to commemorate the third anniversary of the war, the European Union plans to convey a strong message of support to Ukraine with a new aid package. EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius mentioned that senior officials are considering how to urgently deliver a powerful statement to both the Ukrainian people and the international community endorsing their cause.
As discussions continue with the U.S., Russian military actions persist, targeting civilian areas almost daily. On Friday, Russian forces conducted airstrikes in Kostiantynivka, located in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk area, resulting in one death and two injuries, according to regional Governor Vadym Filashkin. Additionally, another attack in the northeastern Kharkiv region left five individuals injured and caused damage to residential properties, noted Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.
The public tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy emerged following an agreement on Tuesday aimed at initiating efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to a close and enhance diplomatic as well as economic relations between the U.S. and Russia. With this turn of events and a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump seemingly shifted the three-year U.S. strategy of isolating Russia.
During a White House briefing on Thursday, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, revealed that the president felt “obviously very frustrated” with Zelenskyy, who was displeased that a U.S. contingent began negotiations without including him or the supportive European governments. When Trump made unfounded claims regarding Zelenskyy’s popularity in Ukraine, as well as insinuating that Ukraine was responsible for the war, Zelenskyy countered that Trump had been misled by “Russian-made disinformation.”
