Former Trump envoy Keith Kellogg visits Odesa amid Russia's ongoing port strikes
According to the Infrastructure Ministry, the U.S. delegation led by Kellogg was shown the damage from Russian attacks on port infrastructure and briefed on measures being taken to maintain operations.
Former U.S. envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, traveled to Odesa on August 21 to join a working group addressing Russia's ongoing port strikes, according to the Infrastructure Ministry. Kellogg, once a vocal advocate for Ukraine within the White House, departed his government post in 2025 but affirmed his commitment to Ukrainian support beyond his official role.
The U.S. delegation, led by Kellogg, toured the damage inflicted by Russian attacks on port infrastructure and received updates on ongoing efforts to preserve operations.
Deputy Restoration Minister Serhii Derkach, representing the Ukrainian delegation, emphasized the significance of allowing American partners to witness the current conditions at Ukrainian ports. Russia's systematic assaults on civilian ports and vessels, aimed at impeding Ukrainian exports and impeding freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, have been a focal point of the delegation's discussions.
The Ukrainian delegation stressed their collaborative role with partners to bolster port protection, ensure safe navigation, and enhance the resilience of Ukrainian logistics.
In addition to discussing port protection, the delegations explored potential avenues for international assistance and private investment in infrastructure projects, encompassing the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as reported by the Infrastructure Ministry. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Black Sea port facilities and civilian ships, leading to a sharp decline in Ukraine's exports, which plummeted to merely 30% of the target within the first two weeks of August.
Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky disclosed these figures during a briefing on August 14. Although Turkey previously facilitated a truce to halt attacks and prevent a global food crisis, recent efforts to secure a new ceasefire have not yielded any progress.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
