Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested that U.S. President Donald Trump arrange a three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to accelerate peace negotiations. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Zelenskyy emphasized that global leaders must act “as quickly as possible” to conclude the conflict.
The discussions between Zelenskyy and Trump focused on strategies to halt Russia’s full-scale invasion, alongside securing additional U.S. air defense support and security commitments for Kyiv. Zelenskyy identified two critical priorities for the upcoming months: a winter package of Patriot missile systems and licenses to manufacture the weapons domestically within Ukraine.
Zelenskyy confirmed via social media that Kyiv is prepared to agree to an “energy ceasefire,” provided Moscow stops attacking Ukraine’s energy, electricity, heating infrastructure, and water supplies. However, he expressed uncertainty regarding Russia’s willingness to accept such terms.
The proposal comes as Trump has previously urged Ukraine to cease drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. The U.S. president argued that these attacks are negatively impacting global markets, as supply disruptions from the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have driven U.S. diesel prices to record highs.
Interesting that Trump is worried about diesel prices while Ukraine faces freezing winters. The priorities seem very different.
Why is Zelenskyy asking Trump to arrange this? Shouldn’t European leaders be pushing for these talks instead?
I doubt Putin agrees to anything that isn’t fully in Moscow’s favor. This feels like wishful thinking.
An energy ceasefire seems like a smart, focused first step if both sides can actually stick to it.