Shmyhal, Kellogg Discuss Drone Deal, Security Guarantees in Kyiv

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine, to discuss security guarantees and a major drone agreement on Monday.

Writing on X, Shmyhal said he was glad to have met with the US special envoy in Kyiv and thanked him for the “incredibly strong support from the US, which brings us closer to a just peace.”

He emphasized the importance of increasing “pressure on the aggressor to force it toward a just, lasting and sustainable peace” and “establishing reliable security guarantees” for Ukraine.

Shmyhal and Kellogg also discussed “preparations for the signing of an agreement between the presidents of Ukraine and the US concerning drone production and sales – Drone Deal”, Shmyhal added.

The so-called drone deal, unveiled in July, involved the US purchasing battle-tested drones and technology from Kyiv in exchange for unspecified US weapons, as described by President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “win-win” situation.

On Aug. 21, Zelensky said that Ukraine had proposed a deal to the US “for $50 billion over five years – 10 million drones per year,” accompanied by a plan for Kyiv to purchase US weapons worth $90 million.

Zelensky also spoke to Kellogg later on Monday, thanking the US for its support after the meeting. 

“Ukraine is deeply grateful to the United States for its support, and we value that President Trump is so determined to achieve real peace. It is very important to realize all the results – political, defense, and economic – that were achieved during our meeting together with European leaders in Washington,” Zelensky wrote.

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In addition to the issues discussed by Kellogg and Shmyhal, Zelensky said that he raised the question of abducted Ukrainian children with the US special envoy.

“We strongly hope that America, the President and the First Lady of the United States will continue to make personal efforts to bring back all children illegally abducted by Russia,” Zelensky said.

Kellogg visited Ukraine over the weekend and took part in the celebration of Independence Day on Sunday. He also held meetings with officials.

Media reports said Kellogg had been awarded the Order of Merit, First Class, by Zelensky during the ceremonies on Sofia Square.

The US special envoy also attended the National Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning, taking the opportunity to express his hopes that fighting will be brought to “an end” in Ukraine and that Ukraine will be “a different place to be” after peace.

“Consider the scale of the destruction [from the war in Ukraine]... the harm and losses these [military] actions have brought,” he added, according to The New Voice of Ukraine.

“This is exactly what President Trump is talking about. He is truly an extraordinary person and a proponent of peace.”

Earlier today, Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists that Ukrainian and US officials will meet later in the week to discuss peace negotiations with Russia.

“I think more time is needed for the details. More work must be done. And after that, it would be important to understand from the American side whether the Russians are ready (for a meeting), and in what format,” Zelensky said at a joint press conference with Norway’s prime minister.