President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Rome on July 9.

The meeting took place on the eve of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, jointly organized by Ukraine and Italy on July 10 and 11. This is the fourth major international event dedicated to mobilizing political and private support for Ukraine's recovery.

Kellogg, a prominent figure in US President Donald Trump's administration, has been leading the latest diplomatic contacts with the Ukrainian leadership, according to the Kiev Independent.

Zelensky described their conversation as “substantial” and said the meeting focused on arms support and sanctions.

“We discussed arms supplies and strengthening air defense. Against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks, this is one of the priorities,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram after the meeting.

“We also discussed the purchase of US weapons, joint production of defense products, and localization in Ukraine,” he added.

Both Zelensky and Kelogg support the efforts of US senators to pass a law imposing tougher sanctions on Russia and a 500% tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, the president said.

“We understand that stricter restrictions on Russian energy are needed, especially secondary sanctions against buyers of Russian oil. This is something that can undoubtedly force Russia to think more about peace,” the Ukrainian president stressed.

Before his meeting with Kellogg, Zelensky met with Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome. He also met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

The recovery conference begins as Ukraine continues to endure daily air strikes and repel Russian ground attacks across the front line. The destruction is putting enormous strain on Ukraine's economy and infrastructure.

The Financial Times reported on July 8 that Kyiv faces a projected deficit of $8 billion to $19 billion for 2026, due in large part to declining US aid and the lack of a breakthrough toward a ceasefire.

A senior EU official told the media that Western donors had previously expected a peace agreement to be reached in 2025, but are now preparing for continued military action. | BGNES