After a meeting with US Special presidential envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's readiness for a "strong, effective" investment and security agreement with US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy said, "From the very first second of this war, Ukraine has sought peace. We must and can ensure that peace is strong and lasting--so that Russia can never return with war.”

In a post on X, Zelenskyywrote, "I had a productive meeting with @SPE_Kellogg--a good discussion, many important details. I am grateful to the United States for all the assistance and bipartisan support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. It's important for us--and for the entire free world--that American strength is felt. We had a detailed conversation about the battlefield situation, how to return our prisoners of war, and effective security guarantees." 

He  added, "Ukraine is ready for a strong, effective investment and security agreement with the President of the United States. We have proposed the fastest and most constructive way to achieve results. Our team is ready to work 24/7. Success unites us all. Strong Ukraine-U.S. relations benefit the entire world. I thank General Kellogg for the joint work to achieve important results," he added.

In his address to the nation, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs "strong agreements with the US" that truly work. Ukrainian President said that he has ordered his team to work quickly and sensibly. The President’s tone was subdued as compared to his  outburst after US President Donald Trump called  him a “dictator” who cost the US billions of dollars  for “starting  the war with Russia”.

Stung by Trump’s words, the Ukrainian people are rallying around a defiant President Zelenskyy, who publicly criticized Trump for promoting Russian “disinformation”. “Yes, he’s not a perfect president, but he’s not a dictator,” said Kateryna Karaush, a 25-year-old tech worker from Kyiv.