Zelenskyy, U.S. envoy discuss arms and sanctions ahead of Ukraine Recovery Conference

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg in Rome to discuss weapons, air defence, and sanctions ahead of an international conference on Ukraine's recovery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a "substantive" meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Rome on Wednesday. The talks followed Trump's pledge to send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said they discussed strengthening air defenses amid intensified Russian attacks, the purchase of American weapons, and joint defense production in Ukraine.

The leaders also addressed expanding sanctions on Russia, including secondary sanctions targeting buyers of Russian oil. Zelenskyy expressed support for a bipartisan sanctions bill in the U.S. Congress, saying it could pressure Moscow toward peace.

The meeting comes ahead of the July 10–11 Rome conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction, estimated to cost €500 billion ($585 billion), according to Italian officials citing World Bank data.

Separately, Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo. The Pope offered the Vatican as a venue for potential Russia-Ukraine peace talks — their second meeting in two months.

Italy confirmed that Kellogg would attend Thursday’s meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, marking the first U.S. participation in the European-led pro-Ukraine group.

Ukraine has also requested more Patriot missile systems from the U.S., while Germany said it is in talks to supply additional air defense systems.

The Rome conference will be opened by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Zelenskyy, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Leaders from Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Greece are also expected to attend. 

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