Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Zelenskiy and Trump discuss energy truce and war
Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Donald Trump in New York to discuss the war with Russia.
They talked about possibly stopping attacks on energy targets.
Zelenskiy wants Russia to stop attacking Ukraine’s power, heating and food-export systems.
Trump wants Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries.
The two sides had previously said they would avoid attacking energy targets, but attacks reportedly continued.
Zelenskiy said he had seen no sign that Vladimir Putin was ready to negotiate.
He said he was willing to join a meeting with Putin and Trump to try to end the war.
Zelenskiy also asked for more Patriot missiles to help protect Ukraine during winter.
Trump had not yet agreed to provide the requested missiles.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he discussed an energy ceasefire and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war with Donald Trump at the United Nations.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine was ready for any format of an energy ceasefire but denied discussing a unilateral halt to attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Trump has urged Ukraine to stop refinery attacks, citing damage to Russia’s fuel-processing capacity and pressure on global diesel prices.
The proposed energy truce appeared to collapse after reported Russian strikes on Kyiv petrol stations and a Ukrainian attack on a Russian oil refinery.
Zelenskiy also sought US Patriot air-defense missiles for winter and said Ukraine was ready for a trilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin and Trump.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump discussed the issue, with Russia and Ukraine involved in the proposed ceasefire.
- What
- They discussed an energy ceasefire, broader efforts to end the war and Ukraine’s request for Patriot air-defense missiles.
- When
- The meeting took place on September 22 after a planned Tuesday meeting was announced; the year is not specified in the reports.
- Where
- At United Nations headquarters in New York.
- Why
- Zelenskiy wants energy infrastructure and food exports protected, while Trump has raised concerns about refinery damage, diesel prices and escalation.
Arguments for an energy ceasefire
Reservations and obstacles
Stopping attacks on energy targets
Arguments for an energy ceasefire
Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and food exports should no longer be targeted, with reciprocal de-escalation following.
Reservations and obstacles
The apparent truce quickly broke down after reported attacks on Kyiv petrol stations and a Russian oil refinery, while Russia had not signalled that it wanted to pause its air campaign.
Attacks on Russian refineries
Arguments for an energy ceasefire
Trump argued that Ukrainian strikes were damaging Russia’s fuel-processing capacity and contributing to higher global diesel prices, and urged Ukraine to stop them.
Reservations and obstacles
Kyiv was described as reluctant to act alone because it views damage to Russia’s oil industry as a way to pressure Moscow into negotiations.
Prospects for negotiations
Arguments for an energy ceasefire
Zelenskiy said he was ready for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin and hoped the United States could bring Moscow back to negotiations.
Reservations and obstacles
Zelenskiy said he had seen no indication that Putin was ready to talk, while continuing aerial attacks made de-escalation uncertain.
- Meeting
- Zelenskiy said his meeting with Trump at United Nations headquarters lasted 40 minutes.
- Energy ceasefire
- Zelenskiy said Ukraine was ready for any format of a ceasefire covering energy-related targets.
- Different priorities
- Zelenskiy wants Russia to stop targeting Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and food exports; Trump wants Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries.
- Ceasefire status
- A previously announced agreement not to strike energy targets appeared to break down after reported attacks by both sides.
- Trilateral talks
- Zelenskiy said he was ready for a meeting with Trump and Vladimir Putin but had seen no indication that Putin was ready to negotiate.
- Patriot request
- Zelenskiy asked for Patriot missiles from US stockpiles for winter, but said Trump had not yet agreed.
- Future missile exchange
- Zelenskiy said Ukraine proposed replacing US-stockpile missiles with future interceptors from a German deal involving 600 Patriots in 2027 and 2028.