US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war during a 40-minute meeting in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready for an energy ceasefire, while Trump said Russian oil refinery strikes were affecting fuel prices and insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was willing to meet.
Trump said he and Zelenskyy were working to find a solution that could bring the war to an end, expressing optimism that an agreement could eventually be reached.
“We’re talking about figuring out a solution to end the war,” Trump said, adding that he did not want to disclose what the eventual deal would look like. He said discussions about the conflict had also involved Putin and suggested that “something is going to happen.”
Trump praised Ukrainians as “very good fighters” and said they could be proud of themselves regardless of how the conflict ultimately develops.
Zelenskyy said he hoped the war could end “before winter” and that Trump would help achieve that goal. Trump nodded in agreement when the Ukrainian president said the conflict needed to end as quickly as possible.
The Russia-Ukraine war has now continued for more than four and a half years, with both sides engaged in an escalating campaign of air and drone strikes. Earlier US-led efforts to restart negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow had stalled amid disagreements over Russia’s territorial demands and Washington’s shifting focus toward the war with Iran.
Zelenskyy backs energy ceasefire with Russia
Zelenskyy said the meeting focused heavily on proposals for an energy ceasefire, including an agreement covering attacks on energy infrastructure, oil facilities and diesel refineries.
He said Ukraine was prepared to accept an energy truce in any format, but stressed that the arrangement would only work if Russia agreed to reciprocal restrictions.
“We are ready for any kind of format of energy ceasefire,” Zelenskyy told reporters after the meeting, adding that he did not know Moscow’s position and hoped the United States could find a way to bring Russia into negotiations.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv had not received any unilateral order from Washington to stop attacking Russian energy facilities. Ukraine would halt strikes on Russian oil-processing infrastructure if Moscow also stopped attacks on Ukraine’s energy system.
He also said Ukraine supports a complete ceasefire covering energy infrastructure, including oil and diesel refineries.
Trump says Putin willing to meet
Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin was willing to meet with Zelenskyy in an effort to end the war.
“He’ll meet. He’s willing to meet. He wants to see the war end,” Trump said, according to reports.
Zelenskyy reiterated that he was ready to meet Putin in a trilateral format involving Trump. He said he hoped Washington would find a way to bring Moscow to negotiations.
Putin and Zelenskyy have not held a face-to-face meeting in seven years, making the possibility of a trilateral meeting a potentially significant part of the current diplomatic efforts.
Trump was also asked whether Ukraine could still reclaim all of its territory, as he had suggested at the previous UN General Assembly. He declined to outline what territory might be involved in a future settlement, saying he believed the two sides would reach a deal.
Russian oil refinery attacks draw Trump’s attention
Trump described Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries as a “serious hit” against Russia. He also said the attacks were having an impact on diesel and oil prices, arguing that damage to Russian refining capacity was contributing to higher fuel costs.
“It’s also a serious hit on the price of diesel,” Trump said, adding that diesel fuel had risen considerably.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and previously said that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other’s energy facilities. He has also urged both sides to stop attacks on infrastructure.
According to reports, Trump has personally contacted Zelenskyy about stopping attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, although Ukraine has so far maintained that it would only halt such strikes as part of a reciprocal arrangement with Moscow.
Energy truce linked to Ukraine’s winter preparations
Zelenskyy said the two presidents also discussed support for Ukraine during the coming winter. He warned that continuing the war through the winter would be particularly difficult for Ukraine, amid concerns that Russia could continue targeting the country’s electricity and energy infrastructure during the colder months.
“If it will be winter in war, it will be not simple,” Zelenskyy said.
He thanked Washington for its support and said the United States could use its economic leverage to pressure Russia into stopping attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid.
Zelenskyy specifically pointed to new US tariff and sanctions authorities, saying Trump had a strong tool that could be used if Putin escalated the conflict.
New sanctions give Trump additional leverage
The meeting followed Trump’s signing of a major Russia sanctions package named after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July shortly after his last visit to Ukraine.
The legislation gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, while also providing for sanctions targeting senior Russian officials, financial institutions and tankers associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
Trump had earlier vowed in his UN General Assembly address to use the new tariff powers “if necessary” to help bring the war to an end.
Zelenskyy said he was grateful to Trump for the new tool and expressed hope that Washington would use it if Putin escalated the conflict.
The United States has also approved a possible $2.7 billion sale of air-defence systems to Ukraine, adding to Washington’s military support as Kyiv prepares for another winter of war.
Patriot missiles also discussed
Trump said he would speak with Zelenskyy again about the issue of Patriot missiles for Ukraine. The two leaders discussed potential licenses for Ukraine to produce American-made Patriot air-defence systems, according to Ukrainian officials.
The issue is particularly important for Kyiv as it seeks to strengthen its air-defence capabilities against Russian missile and drone attacks.
Trump and Zelenskyy also discussed broader US support for Ukraine as well as the possibility of future negotiations involving Russia.
Witkoff, Kushner continue diplomatic efforts
Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also expected to hold discussions with the Ukrainian negotiating team and representatives from the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
The talks were aimed at examining Kyiv’s proposals for de-escalation and exploring possible ways to revive negotiations with Moscow.
Washington’s renewed diplomatic push comes after earlier efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine back to the negotiating table reached a deadlock.
The situation has also been complicated by the US administration’s focus on its conflict with Iran, which had diverted attention from the Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
Energy market faces wider pressure
Trump has increasingly linked the impact of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure to movements in global fuel prices.
Russia remains a major exporter of diesel, while much of its gasoline production is directed toward its domestic market. Russia is no longer a major oil supplier to the European Union, with China, Türkiye, India and Brazil among its major buyers.
Energy-market analysts cited in the report said reduced Russian oil revenues can occur at the same time as global prices rise because disruptions reduce available supply and increase competition for fuel.
Jiří Gavor, executive director of the Czech Association of Independent Energy Suppliers, said shortages in global markets and increased demand were pushing fuel prices higher despite falling Russian oil export revenues.
Trump has also faced domestic political pressure over high fuel prices ahead of the November congressional elections, with elevated gasoline prices potentially affecting the political environment for his Republican Party.
Zelenskyy says talks with Trump productive
Zelenskyy described his meeting with Trump as positive and productive, saying both Washington and Kyiv wanted to see the war end before winter.
The Ukrainian president said he appreciated US support and hoped American diplomatic and economic pressure could persuade Moscow to participate in meaningful negotiations.
Trump, meanwhile, maintained that Putin was willing to meet and that a deal between Russia and Ukraine remained possible.
No concrete peace agreement was announced after the New York meeting, but the discussions brought together several outstanding issues, including an energy ceasefire, winter security, Patriot air-defence capabilities, Russian oil refinery strikes, sanctions and the possibility of a future Trump-Zelenskyy-Putin meeting.
