Image Credit: TIZIANA FABI / Contributor / Getty 
On Wednesday President Donald Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg spoke with Ukrainian Dictator Vladimir Zelensky ahead of the Coalition of the Willing / Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Italy. The two reportedly had a “substantive conversation” about applying more pressure on Russia to end the Ukraine war. The White House official said that a ceasefire is doable.
“It’s an honor to be here in Rome representing President Trump @POTUS. The Conference is focused on the future. As he has repeatedly said, the killing needs to stop. A cease fire now is doable,” Kellogg said. “We continue to help Ukraine defend its people and prevent loss of innocent life. Last night Ukraine sustained over 740 drone/missile attacks. A historical high number ever in history. The war needs to stop.”
It's an honor to be here in Rome representing President Trump @POTUS. The Conference is focused on the future.
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) July 9, 2025
As he has repeatedly said, the killing needs to stop. A cease fire now is doable.
We continue to help Ukraine defend its people and prevent loss of innocent life.… https://t.co/9biyFqlIEN
Zelensky went into detail regarding the pressure Washington is now applying on Moscow in its renewed support for Kiev.
“I had a substantive conversation with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg @generalkellogg. I thanked him for participating in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where the General leads the U.S. delegation,” the Dictator said. “We discussed weapons supplies and strengthening air defense. Given the increase in Russian attacks, this remains one of our top priorities. We also covered the purchase of American weapons, joint defense manufacturing, and localization efforts in Ukraine. We focused in detail on sanctions pressure. We understand the need for tougher restrictions on Russian energy, especially secondary sanctions targeting buyers of Russian oil. We are hopeful for progress on the bill proposed by Senators Graham and Blumenthal in the U.S. Congress. This could certainly make Russia give greater thought to peace. We thank President Trump, both parties, and all American people for their support and assistance. We sincerely value the friendship between our nations.”
I had a substantive conversation with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg @generalkellogg. I thanked him for participating in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where the General leads the U.S. delegation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 9, 2025
We discussed weapons supplies and strengthening air… pic.twitter.com/nIHPaPktrA
The Ukraine-friendly meeting is now underway, with 32 participants including anti-Trump Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal.
“Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. Today’s format was expanded – for the first time, representatives of the United States took part in our meeting, including General Kellogg, Senators Graham and Blumenthal. A total of 32 participants – heads and representatives of states, governments, and international organizations. I’m grateful for this level of engagement. It is important that the format of the Coalition of the Willing is working – working for long-term security and for protection against Russian strikes right now,” Ukraine’s Dictator said Thursday. “Everyone acknowledges that this is a war that can only be overcome through unity – and we have built the unity we need. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine, everyone who is with us now in defending life.”
Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. Today's format was expanded – for the first time, representatives of the United States took part in our meeting, including General Kellogg, Senators Graham and Blumenthal. A total of 32 participants – heads and representatives of states,… pic.twitter.com/neGlirCuq8
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 10, 2025
The Ukraine Recovery Conference seeks to “strengthen the resilience of Ukraine for as long as needed”. The fourth meeting of the multinational body is taking place July 10 and 11 in Rome, Italy.
