On September 22, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a bilateral meeting with American leader Donald Trump in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The meeting involved representatives from both delegations and lasted 7 minutes in the presence of the press, after which it continued in a closed format.
Topics of Discussion
During the meeting, several important issues were discussed, including:
- Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine;
- Energy issues and new air defense systems;
- The possibility of licensed production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine.
Key Statements from Trump
At the press conference, Trump emphasized that:
- Ukrainians are very skilled fighters and have much to be proud of;
- Putin also wants to end the war;
- Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have already impacted diesel prices in Russia;
- He hopes for an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, but left the details undisclosed.
Prospects for Ending the War
Zelensky expressed hope that the war could be concluded by winter and that Trump could assist in this process. Trump, in turn, noted that there are two potential outcomes: one very bad, and the other that could transform Ukraine into a large country. Both leaders underscored the importance of diplomacy in achieving peace.