Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump set New York talks on energy and maritime truces

Bilateral talks planned in New York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 20 September 2026 that he held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, resulting in an agreement for direct talks in New York. The scheduled meeting is planned to take place between 21 and 23 September, though specific logistical details remain subject to final confirmation. Washington has sought a resumption of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow to address the war, which has lasted four and a half years. American diplomatic efforts had stalled in recent months due to limited negotiating progress and attention directed toward conflict in the Middle East, while both Ukraine and Russia escalated their military strikes.

Zelensky posted details of the conversation on social media platforms, describing the momentum behind the upcoming session.

I just spoke with President Trump. It was an important conversation and we managed to settle many things. We agreed to a meeting in New York, and this meeting can change a lot. There is diplomatic momentum.

Diplomatic envoys and ceasefire agenda

The scheduled discussions follow preliminary diplomatic exchanges conducted by American special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Both representatives traveled to Moscow in early September 2026 to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before visiting Kyiv for their first direct talks with Ukrainian leadership. Zelensky thanked Trump for the visit, stating that the envoys observed conditions on the ground firsthand. The Ukrainian president affirmed that advancing a peace framework remains Ukraine's primary priority, noting that Ukrainian and American teams are preparing actionable measures.

Discussions in New York are planned to focus on specific de-escalation steps, including maritime navigation and energy sector truces with Russia. Ukrainian officials also intend to address fundamental security issues, specifically food supply stability, energy grid resilience, and civilian protection.

The Lindsey Graham sanctions act

During the telephone exchange, Zelensky expressed gratitude to Trump for signing economic legislation targeting Russian trade networks. Trump signed the measure into law on 18 September 2026. The legislation, initiated by and named after the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, codifies existing restrictions against Russian governing authorities, financial entities, and energy operations, while encouraging further sanctions against Russia's maritime shadow fleet.

The statutory framework mandates that the president impose tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on key international trade partners of Moscow. These tariff provisions apply to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil, the five largest importers of Russian natural gas, and the top five countries identified as enabling the circumvention of petroleum restrictions. Data compiled by the US Senate lists potential tariff targets as China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, and Singapore. The statutory language provides broad presidential discretion to grant waivers or decline to apply the punitive measures.

Diplomatic outlook ahead of New York

The planned talks between Zelensky and Trump represent their first in-person bilateral meeting since Zelensky's visit to the White House in October 2025. Ukrainian officials maintain that cooperation with the US administration is intended to yield verifiable de-escalation mechanisms. Both sides continue final preparations for the New York discussions as attention centers on whether commercial tariff measures and diplomatic mediation can lead to direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow.