Zelensky: Trump Officials to Visit Kyiv Ahead of Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said senior U.S. officials will visit Kyiv this week ahead of the Munich Security Conference. As Russia advances in the east, Kyiv hopes to strengthen ties with President Donald Trump’s team and secure long-term U.S. support.

Zelensky, who is pushing for deeper engagement with Trump’s administration, said the visit would take place before the February 14-16 Munich Security Conference but did not specify which officials would attend.

“This week, some people from the Trump team, serious ones, will be in Ukraine—even before the Munich conference,” Zelensky said in a video released by UNIAN news agency.

The U.S. has been Ukraine’s most crucial ally since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing military and financial assistance. Now, Kyiv is working to align with the new administration, offering a strategic partnership on critical mineral deposits as part of broader cooperation.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its eastern offensive, pressing its advantage as Ukraine faces manpower shortages and uncertainty over future U.S. weapons supplies. Zelensky has emphasized the urgent need for a personal meeting with Trump before the U.S. president engages in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It’s important for me to focus on the practical work of the Ukrainian and U.S. teams, on a common vision, preferably, of the main things,” Zelensky said, stressing Ukraine’s push for Western security guarantees.

Diplomatic Uncertainty

Trump has yet to clarify his stance on Ukraine, including whether the U.S. will continue military aid. On Sunday, he hinted at recent communication with Putin but did not disclose details. The Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied the contact.

“Let’s see who, how, and whether it is true,” Zelensky said in response.

On Monday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov reiterated that Moscow’s conditions for ending the war remain unchanged—Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw from four regions Russia claims as its territory. Kyiv and its European allies reject these demands as capitulation.

Zelensky said he expects “productive work” with U.S. officials both in Ukraine and during the Munich conference.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, is expected to visit Kyiv later this month after postponing a trip initially planned before Trump’s inauguration. He will also attend the Munich Security Conference.

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