NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 22: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during a bilateral meeting held alongside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters on September 22, 2026, in New York City. World leaders have gathered for the U.N.’s annual meeting, where this year’s agenda includes the risks posed by artificial intelligence and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged U.S. President Donald Trump to arrange a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that the three leaders must act “as quickly as possible” to end the war.
Zelenskyy met with Trump on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The high-level talks gave Ukraine’s president a rare opportunity to discuss potential paths toward ending Russia’s full-scale invasion, additional U.S. air defense assistance and security guarantees for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s immediate priorities include securing a winter supply of Patriot missiles and obtaining licenses to manufacture the weapons domestically.
“President Trump, our teams, and I spoke about how to end the war. This is the priority. We are ready. I’m not sure Russia is ready as of today, but anyhow, we spoke about an energy ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said overnight on social media, summarizing his remarks to reporters at the General Assembly.
He said Kyiv is prepared to support an energy truce provided Russia refrains from attacking Ukraine’s energy, electricity, heating and water infrastructure.
Trump has previously urged Ukraine to stop drone strikes against Russian oil refineries, saying the attacks are “hurting the world” as fuel disruptions linked to the wars in Ukraine and Iran push U.S. diesel prices to a record high.
In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump said Russia had “unfortunately lost control” of its diesel oil industry because of the war.
“I think the most important move President Trump can make – he can organize a trilateral meeting where the leaders can raise all the sensitive issues and try to end the war,” Zelenskyy said.
Asked whether he was ready to meet Trump and Putin directly, Zelenskyy responded: “I’m ready. I said it, I’m ready anytime when all the sides will be ready. I think we all need to move as quickly as possible.”
CNBC has contacted a White House spokesperson and Russia’s embassy in London for comment and is awaiting a response.
A meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy before expert-level negotiations have taken place would be a waste of time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday, according to Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
“Regarding Putin’s meeting with Zelensky, our position is well known. Putin said that Zelensky, if he wishes, can come to Moscow,” Peskov said.
Zelenskyy: Xi has ‘influence on Putin’
Speaking to reporters about his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said he had discussed efforts to find a solution to Russia’s war in Ukraine. In his address to General Assembly delegates, he also referred to the diplomatic initiative aimed at ending the conflict.
“We will get that one done,” Trump said.
Diplomatic efforts have stalled as the U.S. has turned its attention to the war with Iran. Earlier this month, however, negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Ukraine for the first time to hold talks with Zelenskyy.
Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian oil facilities and logistics infrastructure in recent months. Kyiv also called on Trump to discuss efforts to end the war with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.
Ukrainian firefighters work at a warehouse destroyed in a recent Russian drone strike in the Kyiv region on September 22, 2026, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Tetiana Dzhafarova | Afp | Getty Images
“I said to the President, very openly, that we think if he also engages President Xi – he has influence on Putin. If we want to end this war, not just in messages, we all have to work 24/7 for this, for the people,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has insisted that Russian energy sites are legitimate military targets as it continues to resist Russian forces that invaded the country in early 2022. Russia’s Defense Ministry has said it is planning “massive strikes” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, amplifying fears of another winter assault.
