US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has arrived in Kyiv for exploratory talks on a possible way out of Russia's war of aggression, reported German news agency dpa.
In his first public statement upon arrival on Wednesday, Kellogg said he had come to listen. He explained that his report to President Donald Trump would help the US assess the situation accurately.
“We understand the need for security guarantees,” he added, speaking in front of television cameras.
Kellogg's visit came as a surprise; he had been expected on Thursday according to earlier reports.
Trump lashed out at Kyiv on Tuesday night, when he baselessly blamed Ukraine for starting the war and suggested it could have already been ended.
"You've been there for three years," Trump said. "You should never have started it. You could have made a deal."
Kellogg said in Kyiv that Trump is eager to see the war draw to a close because he "understands the human suffering, he understands the damage."