---
title: "\"Without interceptors, we can't make it through winter without Patriot\": Zelenskyy discussed anti-ballistic defense and increased Russian strikes with Kellogg"
description: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with former U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv. The sides discussed the intensification of Russian strikes and the need to purchase interceptors for Patriot systems before winter."
date: 2026-08-22T12:44:07.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-kellogg-antiballistic-patriot-interceptors
tags: [ukraine, zelensky, kellogg, patriot, air-defense, ukraine-war, veterans-forum]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "Without interceptors, we can't make it through winter without Patriot": Zelenskyy discussed anti-ballistic defense and increased Russian strikes with Kellogg

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Anthony Blinken/Kellogg meet to discuss air defense, Patriot interceptors and the intensification of Russian strikes on Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/22/zelensky-kellog-antiballistic-patriot/zelensky-kellog-antiballistic-patriot-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Zelenskyy met with Keith Kellogg in Kyiv; the general arrived from Odesa to participate in the Veterans Forum.
- The main priority of the discussion was anti-ballistic defense against the backdrop of intensified Russian strikes on infrastructure.
- Ukraine stated that it cannot make it through this winter without interceptors for Patriot and is ready to buy them.
- Zelenskyy and Europe are working on their own anti-ballistic system, but it will not cover the winter deficit.

On August 22, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv with former U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine resolution, Keith Kellogg. According to the head of state, the general arrived in the capital from Odesa to participate in the Ukrainian Veterans Forum. Zelenskyy thanked his interlocutor for the "respect for Ukrainian warriors who, under extremely difficult conditions every day, defend Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic space," emphasizing the symbolic nature of the visit against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities.

### Anti-ballistic defense — the top priority

The central point of the negotiations was the intensification of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure and civilian objects. Zelenskyy directly named anti-ballistic defense as the top priority for national security in the near future. According to him, Ukraine, together with European partners, is already working on creating its own anti-ballistic system, however, its formation requires time and cannot close the gap in defense in the short term.

### Winter and the issue of Patriot interceptors

The key practical conclusion of the meeting concerns the winter period. Zelenskyy stated that for getting through this winter, the supply of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense systems is "indispensable" and that Ukraine is ready to purchase them. The President emphasized that any efforts in this direction from Washington and allies are of critical importance, as without American interceptors, European and Ukrainian anti-ballistic systems are not capable of fully compensating for the volume of Russian attacks.

### Context of the visit and the "Kellogg Shield" phenomenon

It is worth recalling that on August 21, it became known about Kellogg's arrival in Ukraine on the eve of Independence Day: on the first day of the visit, he visited the Odesa Sea Trade Port. In Ukrainian media and the expert community, a stable pattern has long been recorded: during periods of Kellogg's presence in the country, Russian troops generally refrain from massive attacks and do not strike the city where he is directly located. Against this backdrop, Zelenskyy earlier jokingly stated that he was ready to grant the general Ukrainian citizenship and an apartment, which became an informal but indicative reflection of the trusting tone of the relationship.

### Significance of the meeting for the negotiation track

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of ongoing attempts to build a diplomatic and defensive balance: earlier in 2026, Zelenskyy reported that the U.S. has several ideas for ending the war, and visits by high-ranking American negotiators remain regular. Kellogg's visit, combined with participation in the Veterans Forum, demonstrates that the defense and humanitarian-patriotic agendas remain linked: the issue of Patriot interceptors is directly tied to supporting those who defend the country and to Euro-Atlantic solidarity.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- ["Ready to buy missiles for Patriot": Zelenskyy met with Kellogg, discussed anti-ballistic defense](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/gotovi-kupiti-raketi-patriot-zelenskiy-zustrivsya-1787402139.html) - Первичный источник: цитата Зеленского из Telegram, детали встречи, тема перехватчиков Patriot и антибаллистики.
- [Zelenskyy after meeting with Tikhonovskaya: "We all support the aspiration of the Belarusian people..."](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B0/20260526-%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B8-%D1%81-%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%BC%D1%8B-%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%BC-%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%83%D1%81%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8C%D1%81%D1%8F-%D0%BE%D1%82-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D0%B2%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0) - Использован только как фоновый контекст 2026 года; не подтверждает и не опровергает данный факт встречи.
- [Zelenskyy stated that the U.S. has several ideas regarding ending the war and announced a visit...](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/07/23/8045534/) - Фоновый контекст по переговорному треку 2026 года; не относится непосредственно к встрече с Келлогом.
- [Zelenskyy met with Kellogg: he reminded what Ukraine is missing to get through winter](https://hvylya.net/news/328779-zelenskiy-vstretilsya-s-kellogom-on-napomnil-chego-ukraine-ne-hvataet-dlya-prohozhdeniya-zimy) - Независимое подтверждение факта встречи и акцента на зимнем дефиците средств ПВО.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Where and when did Zelenskyy's meeting with Kellogg take place?
**A:** On August 22, 2026, in Kyiv. According to Zelenskyy, Kellogg arrived in the capital from Odesa to participate in the Veterans Forum.

### Q: What did Zelenskyy and Kellogg talk about?
**A:** They discussed the intensification of Russian strikes on infrastructure and civilian objects and protection from them; anti-ballistic defense was named the top priority.

### Q: What did Zelenskyy say about Patriot interceptors?
**A:** He stated that for getting through this winter, the supply of interceptors for Patriot is indispensable and that Ukraine is ready to buy them.

### Q: Is Ukraine working on its own air defense system?
**A:** Yes, Zelenskyy reported on work with European partners on their own anti-ballistic system, but noted that it will not cover the winter deficit without American interceptors.