Together, General Kellogg and Mr. Yermak walked the “Alley of Memory,” lit memorial candles, and placed stones at the foot of the Menorah monument — a central symbol of remembrance at Babyn Yar. They also held a meeting with rabbis from the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), spiritual leaders serving Jewish communities across the country.

Babyn Yar is one of the most iconic Holocaust memorial sites in Eastern Europe. It is a place of remembrance—and a place marked by a new crime: on March 1, 2022, a Russian missile strike killed six people at Babyn Yar, including a 12-year-old child. General Kellogg, who was previously unaware of this tragedy, was visibly moved by the account.

During the visit, Roza Tapanova, Director of the Memorial Reserve, presented General Kellogg with “The Angel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine”, a painting by Matviy Vaisberg. Vaisberg, a Kyiv-born Jewish artist whose family was directly affected in Babyn Yar, created this work in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The painting stands as both a prayer and a protest— an artistic act of resilience in support of Ukraine’s defenders.

“Babyn Yar is a Holocaust memorial site, and it is a living wound,” Ms. Tapanova said. “We honor the victims of the past while confronting war crimes taking place in the present. Our gift to General Kellogg, Matviy Vaisberg’s Angel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is a voice of memory and resistance. That voice speaks from Ukraine to the entire world.”

Mr. Yermak added: “Our identity is built on respect—for every nation, every faith, and every tragedy. At a time when authoritarian regimes are attacking peaceful life, unity among democracies is more vital than ever.”

As part of the visit, General Kellogg participated in a separate meeting with FJCU rabbis. Rabbi Raphael Rutman, Vice President of the Federation, opened the meeting with a reading of Psalm 23 in English.

“The fact that we are meeting here – at a place that witnessed such darkness – is the clearest possible testimony to the revival of Jewish life in Ukraine,” said Rabbi Stambler.

General Kellogg concluded: “I came to Ukraine on behalf of President Trump to listen – to hear directly from people on the ground, especially from the Jewish community, which has been part of this land for centuries. This meeting gave me a deeper and more human perspective. It will help me prepare an honest and heartfelt report for the President. The United States has power granted by G d – and we must use it for good.”