Kellogg arrived in Odessa and visited the seaport
Former US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg arrived in Ukraine and, together with the American delegation, visited the Odessa Sea Trade Port. The American side was shown the consequences of Russian attacks, and during the negotiations, the security of the sea corridor and the involvement of US companies in infrastructure projects were discussed.
This was reported on August 21 by the Ministry of Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine.
Together with Kellogg, the Odessa port was visited by First Deputy Minister of Restoration Serhiy Derkach, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky, Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority Mykola Kravchuk, Head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper, and Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Neizhpapa.
The American delegation was shown the consequences of Russian strikes on the port infrastructure. The US representatives were also told how Ukrainian seaports operate during a full-scale war, about the scale of damage, and the measures taken to maintain their operations.
One of the main topics of the meeting was the security of navigation and the operation of the Ukrainian sea corridor. According to Derkach, Russia systematically attacks civilian port infrastructure and vessels, trying to limit Ukrainian exports and shipping in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian side expects, together with international partners, to strengthen port protection and the resilience of export logistics. The Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Mykola Kravchuk, noted that the country's export capabilities and revenues to the economy directly depend on the stable operation of ports.
American business offered infrastructure projects
A separate block of negotiations was devoted to economic and investment cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. Kyiv is interested in attracting American companies not only as investors but also as technological and operational partners.
Among the priority areas, the Ukrainian side named concession projects in the port of Chornomorsk, the development of road and railway infrastructure, as well as water supply projects.
In addition, the parties discussed the possibilities of the American-Ukrainian Investment Fund for Recovery, created within the framework of the economic agreement between the two countries. The Ministry of Infrastructure considers it as one of the potential instruments for financing transport and logistics projects.
In particular, it is proposed to form a joint portfolio of infrastructure projects that could be joined by American companies, financial institutions, and technology suppliers.
The ministry also emphasized that the importance of Ukrainian ports extends beyond the country. Through the sea corridor, Ukrainian agricultural products are delivered to the markets of dozens of countries, so the security of navigation is directly linked to both Ukrainian exports and global food trade.
The visit of the American delegation takes place amid ongoing Russian attacks on the port and transport infrastructure of the Odessa region. Ukraine is simultaneously restoring damaged facilities and trying to maintain the operation of maritime export routes.
