President Volodymyr Zelensky met with retired US Lieutenant General and former presidential envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Thursday, Aug. 22, proposing that Ukraine purchase additional Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against Russian strikes this winter.
Zelensky announced the meeting on Telegram, noting that Kellogg traveled from Odesa to Kyiv to participate in a Veterans Forum. The president thanked Kellogg for demonstrating respect for Ukrainian soldiers defending the Euro-Atlantic region.
The discussions focused on the intensifying Russian attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets. Zelensky emphasized that anti-ballistic defense remains the top priority.
He briefed Kellogg on Ukraine’s ongoing work with European partners to establish a comprehensive anti-ballistic shield, stressing that a steady supply of Patriot interceptors is indispensable for the upcoming winter.
“Ukraine is ready to buy them, and any efforts in this direction are important,” Zelensky stated.
Proposals for a new defense alignment
Kellogg’s late-summer visit was anticipated since May, with expectations that his trip would focus on security guarantees, frontline dynamics, and potential frameworks for a negotiated end to the war.
In statements made earlier this year, Kellogg urged Moscow to negotiate, arguing that Russia was failing to achieve its strategic objectives. However, he also suggested that Ukraine should be cautious in its requests for additional aid, asserting that the defense of Ukraine is primarily a “European issue” that European allies should lead.
Kellogg has also been highly critical of NATO, previously describing the alliance as “cowardly” regarding its stance on Iran. He has proposed creating an alternative defense bloc comprising nations willing to take a more active military role.
He identified Ukraine as an effective partner for this proposed alignment – alongside Australia, Germany, Japan, and Poland – stating that Kyiv has “proven to be a good ally.”