Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Meets Trump's Envoy After Promise Of Arms Supply

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg in Rome on Wednesday.

The meeting came after Trump promised to send more defense weapons to Kyiv.

The two were on their way to Italy before the conference on July 10-11 dedicated to Ukraine's recovery and long-term reconstruction following the Russian invasion.

US efforts to end the war in Ukraine through diplomacy have largely stalled.

On Tuesday, Trump made an unusual direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump said he had approved additional supplies of weapons to Ukraine, especially defense weapons, to help the country defend itself against Russian attacks.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, July 9, Zelenskyy is also expected to visit Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo's papal summer residence, and President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinale Palace.

The fourth Rome Conference since Russia's invasion of neighboring countries in February 2022 was primarily aimed at mobilizing international support for Ukraine.

Italian government sources said about 500 billion euros ($585.35 billion) would be needed for Ukraine's reconstruction, recovery, and modernization, citing World Bank estimates.

Kyiv has asked Washington to sell more Patriot missiles and the Patriot system it considers important to defend its cities.

Germany said last week it was in talks to buy the Patriot air defense system for Ukraine to bridge the gap after the Pentagon had suspended some shipments.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will open a Roma conference with Zelenskyy and European Commission chairman Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to be in Rome with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Dutch leader Dick Schoof, and Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece, among others, the source said.