Zelenskyy meets Trump’s Ukraine envoy but press conference canceled

On the international front.

Amid recent tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine, Ukraine's President met with Trump's envoy.

Zelenskyy called the meeting "productive," but a scheduled joint press conference was cancelled.

Choi Min-jung covers this event and more.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg met in Kyiv on Thursday, and held what Zelenskyy called a "productive meeting."

Zelenskyy shared on social media that they had a "detailed conversation" about the battlefield situation, the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and effective security guarantees, emphasizing the importance of U.S.-Ukraine relations.

However, the meeting did not result in significant breakthroughs in securing U.S. support, as evidenced by the cancellation of a planned joint press conference at the request of the U.S.

What was supposed to be a media event turned into a brief photo opportunity without remarks or questions.

Kellogg's visit to Kyiv came amid escalating tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy.

On Wednesday, Ukraine rejected U.S. demands for 500 billion U.S. dollars in minerals as repayment for wartime aid, citing inadequate support from Washington and a lack of security guarantees.

Trump's frustration with Zelenskyy is apparent, as he believes Zelenskyy has not taken advantage of the opportunities presented.

"Look, President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelenskyy. The fact that that he hasn't come to the table, that he hasn't been willing to take this opportunity that we have offered. I think he eventually will get to that point, and I hope so very quickly."

Additionally, the U.S. is resisting putting the blame on Russia for the war by opposing the inclusion of "Russian aggression" in a G7 joint statement marking the war's third anniversary.

This follows Trump's comments blaming Ukraine for the war and calling Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections."

He has also proposed inviting Russia back to the G7.

Next week, Trump is set to meet with the leaders of France and the UK to discuss strategies for ending the war in Ukraine and post-war planning.

European nations have so far been left without a clear role in the peace talks.

Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.