Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met privately with Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's appointed envoy for Ukraine, yesterday, with neither party providing comments to the media following the discussions.

However, Zelensky later issued a statement on X, thanking the United States for its assistance and announcing that he had proposed terms for a potential ceasefire.

He stated, 'Ukraine is ready for a robust and effective investment and security agreement with the President of the United States.' In his post, he mentioned that they proposed the quickest and most constructive means to achieve results.

This remark appeared to reference his prior proposal from last week, which suggested that the U.S. provide security guarantees to Ukraine in exchange for a share of the country’s mineral resources, energy reserves, and infrastructure.

During his first day in Kyiv, Kellogg met with Oleksandr Syrskiy, the Ukrainian Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, as well as leaders from the intelligence and security services.

Yermak emphasized the need for the American envoy to possess 'complete and objective information about events on the frontline, as well as the capabilities and intentions of Ukrainians to conclude the war with a fair and lasting peace.' Kellogg also conferred with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba yesterday.

Kellogg's three-day visit to Kyiv coincided with Trump's recent derogatory comments regarding Zelensky, branding him a dictator and attributing responsibility for the ongoing war with Russia to him, closely aligning with Moscow's wartime narrative.

In response, Zelensky stated that Trump lives in a bubble of Russian disinformation.

He received expressions of support from various European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is scheduled to visit the U.S. However, some Republican lawmakers in Washington pushed back against Trump's claims, while Vice President JD Vance warned Zelensky against publicly disparaging the White House.

On the same day, Trump reiterated his intention to 'revive' negotiations regarding American access to Ukrainian natural resources shortly after his latest outburst against Zelensky.

He stated, 'I think I will revive that agreement, (...) or things won’t make him too happy,' without providing further details on this renewed threat.

During his visit to Kyiv last week, American Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent handed Zelensky a draft U.S. agreement covering the utilization of Ukrainian mineral resources and energy assets, which allegedly includes a proposal for a 50% American share in the benefits derived from Ukrainian infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines and ports.

Zelensky, however, rejected signing the document, stating that it lacked any security guarantees for his country.

Reports indicate that Trump aims to finalize the agreement with Ukraine before potentially granting further American military support or continuing to mediate formal peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia regarding the ongoing conflict that has persisted for three years.

Responding to inquiries about whether U.S. officials would proceed with negotiations on the agreement, an anonymous advisor cited by the media remarked on Zelensky, 'We certainly need to bring the guy back to reality.' Experts noted that Kyiv's leaders are very determined to secure such an agreement.

Trump's public criticism of the Ukrainian president has raised questions about pressure tactics.

According to political analysts, Trump’s remarks, which included labeling Zelensky a dictator, reflect a broader intent to exert pressure rather than indicate any deviation in his stance, as he has traditionally aimed to apply significant pressure on his negotiating partners, often resorting to extreme rhetoric.

Just as he extracted concessions from Mexico or Panama, Trump appears to seek to coerce Ukraine into not only sharing its resources with the U.S. but also acquiescing to terms for ending the war that may be unfavorable to Kyiv.