KYIV, Ukraine — On Friday, an envoy for President Donald Trump, Retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, reported having had “extensive and positive discussions” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the ongoing conflict with Russia, commending Zelenskyy for being an “embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war.”
Kellogg, who visited Kyiv on Wednesday, originally planned to hold a news briefing with Zelenskyy on Thursday; however, it was reduced to a simple photo opportunity at the last minute. He characterized the day of discussions with Ukraine’s senior leadership as “long and intense,” signaling a shift from recent criticisms by Trump and other top U.S. officials that hinted at a rapid decline in relations.
Former President Trump had made statements labeling Zelenskyy as “a dictator without elections” and cautioned him that he needed to act quickly to negotiate a conclusion to the war, or he might face the risk of losing his leadership altogether.
Concerns were mounting in Kyiv regarding the potential uncertainty surrounding crucial U.S. military assistance for Ukraine, particularly as Ukrainian forces continued to fight against Russia’s larger military presence in active combat.
European nations, wary of being left out of significant discussions involving high-ranking U.S. and Russian representatives, have taken steps to reinforce their support for Zelenskyy while striving to maintain strong transatlantic relations. Polish President Andrzej Duda, a notable advocate for Ukraine, reported that he communicated with Zelenskyy and urged him to maintain a path of calm and constructive collaboration with Trump.
“We firmly believe that there is no alternative way to halt the violence and secure lasting peace in Ukraine other than the backing of the United States,” Duda conveyed to Zelenskyy.
Duda expressed his confidence in the U.S. negotiation strategy, stating on the social platform X, “I am convinced that President Trump is motivated by a strong sense of responsibility toward global stability and peace.”
Furthermore, the European Union’s leading defense official announced plans to deliver a significant message of support to Ukraine in the form of a new aid package, coinciding with the upcoming third anniversary of the war. EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius indicated that key members of the EU’s executive body are actively considering urgent measures to convey a strong commitment to supporting Ukraine.
High-ranking EU officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are scheduled to travel to Kyiv on Monday.
Despite ongoing discussions with the U.S., Russia is intensifying its invasion, routinely targeting civilian areas. On Friday, reports emerged of Russian forces dropping three advanced glide bombs in Kostiantynivka, located in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, resulting in one death and two injuries, according to regional Governor Vadym Filashkin. Additionally, another bomb attack in the northeastern Kharkiv region inflicted injuries on five individuals and caused damage to residential properties, as reported by Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.
Tensions heightened between Trump and Zelenskyy following an agreement between Russia and the U.S. to initiate efforts aimed at concluding the war in Ukraine and enhancing diplomatic and economic relations. Following this development and a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump abruptly shifted a three-year U.S. strategy focused on isolating Russia.
Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, noted during a briefing that the president is “obviously very frustrated” with Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy expressed displeasure over a U.S. delegation beginning discussions without including him or European allies supportive of Ukraine.
When Trump claimed, without substantiation, that Zelenskyy was significantly unpopular in Ukraine and erroneously suggested that Ukraine bore responsibility for the ongoing war, Zelenskyy responded by suggesting that Trump was operating within a “disinformation space” generated by Russia, indicating he may have been misled by Putin.
