American defense giants fear leaks of sensitive technology

The promised deal to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems has run into the business interests of major US defense companies, Keith Kellogg, former US Special Envoy for Ukraine, said in an interview.

Why the air defense deal is being delayed

Kellogg said the delay in granting Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot systems was linked to concerns from the companies that produce them, including Lockheed Martin, over the transfer of their intellectual property.

He noted that on July 8, US President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the license would be provided. However, three weeks later, Trump said that no agreement had been reached yet.

Ukraine’s capabilities and Kellogg’s position

The general stressed that he considered such a purely business-driven decision by defence companies to be wrong, arguing that Ukraine was capable of implementing technological solutions more efficiently.

Kellogg said he supported the idea of Ukraine producing the systems because he believed Ukrainian companies could work faster and potentially develop better new solutions, adding that Ukraine should be given the opportunity.

He also said he planned to discuss the issue personally with the US president after completing his visit to Ukraine.

Kellogg said that once he returned, he would have an opportunity to speak with Trump and explain what he believed the president should do. He added that he thought Trump had listened to certain people, which he considered unfortunate.

Kellogg suggests why Trump changed his mind on Patriot production licenses for Ukraine

Kellogg reveals how Trump and Zelenskyy's relationship has changed

Relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have improved over time. Still, effective cooperation between Washington and Kyiv requires engagement beyond the level of the two heads of state, former Trump special envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with journalist Natalia Moseichuk.

Trump-Zelenskyy relations

Kellogg believes that Trump and Zelenskyy have developed a relationship of restrained respect.

According to him, the two politicians share similar personality traits, so their interactions sometimes resemble the poles of a magnet.

At the same time, Kellogg described Zelenskyy as a courageous person because he is leading the country amid a full-scale war.

The American envoy noted that relations between the two presidents have improved recently.

He also explained that one reason for his work in Ukraine is his desire to better understand the situation on the ground and determine what message should be conveyed to Trump.

Key advisers

Kellogg believes that Kyiv should pay more attention to engaging with members of the US administration who directly influence the president's decisions. He cited Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, and Pete Hegseth as examples.

"If you really want to have an impact, work with the advisers," Kellogg said, stressing that concrete changes can be achieved at this level.

According to him, Trump wants to end the war and is deeply affected by the loss of human life. Kellogg also rejected claims that after the clash between Zelenskyy and Trump in the Oval Office in February 2025, the US side allegedly discussed replacing the Ukrainian president.

He stressed that he was personally present during that meeting and did not hear any such proposals.

According to Kellogg, the incident resulted from the two presidents losing touch with each other, but both were later willing to restore dialogue.

According to Keith Kellogg's assessment, a quick end to the war cannot be expected for now, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the hostilities.

Kellogg reveals how Trump and Zelenskyy's relationship has changed