Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Zelenskyy Seeks Trump’s Help to End Ukraine War Before Winter
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Donald Trump to discuss the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy said he wants the war to end before winter.
He asked for help protecting Ukraine during the cold months.
He also supported stopping attacks on energy facilities.
The leaders discussed making more Patriot interceptors and possibly holding a meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Trump said he thought a deal could be reached.
Trump also said Putin wanted the war to end.
However, Russia and Ukraine are still attacking important infrastructure.
Because the fighting continues, it is not clear whether a ceasefire will happen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked United States President Donald Trump to help end the war with Russia before winter.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine supports a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure and is open to any format for such an agreement.
The leaders discussed winter support, Patriot interceptor production licenses, and a possible trilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Trump said he believed a deal could be reached and that Putin was willing to meet.
The prospects for de-escalation remain uncertain as Russia and Ukraine continue attacks on energy and critical infrastructure.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and United States President Donald Trump met, with Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed as a possible participant in future talks.
- What
- They discussed ending the war, an energy-infrastructure ceasefire, winter support for Ukraine, Patriot interceptor production, and a possible trilateral meeting.
- When
- The meeting took place on Tuesday; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- The meeting location was not specified in the article.
- Why
- Zelenskyy sought United States support to end the war before winter and address energy and security concerns.
Diplomatic Optimism
Escalation Concerns
Prospects for a deal
Diplomatic Optimism
Zelenskyy said Trump could help end the war quickly, while Trump said he believed a deal could be reached.
Escalation Concerns
Continuing Russian and Ukrainian attacks make a near-term de-escalation initiative uncertain.
Energy ceasefire
Diplomatic Optimism
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for any format of a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.
Escalation Concerns
The article said both sides have recently targeted energy and critical infrastructure, creating doubt about whether such a ceasefire can hold.
Future negotiations
Diplomatic Optimism
Zelenskyy supported the possibility of a trilateral meeting with Putin, and Trump said Putin was willing to meet.
Escalation Concerns
The article said Putin appeared to believe time was on his side and was pursuing maximalist terms, according to its assessment.
- Main request
- Zelenskyy asked Trump to help end the war before winter.
- Ceasefire proposal
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.
- Other discussion topics
- The leaders discussed winter support, Patriot interceptor production licenses, and a possible trilateral meeting.
- Trump’s position
- Trump said, “I think we’re gonna make a deal.”
- Putin’s reported position
- Trump said Putin was willing to meet and wanted the war to end.
- Military situation
- The article said Russia and Ukraine continue attacks on energy and critical infrastructure.