Zelensky and Trump agree to New York meeting following US envoy talks in Kyiv

Agreement on New York talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a telephone call with US President Donald Trump on 20 September 2026, during which both leaders agreed to hold an in-person meeting in New York. The scheduled bilateral discussion coincides with the annual United Nations General Assembly, which gathers nearly 130 heads of state and government. Zelensky stated on social media that the conversation covered multiple issues and pointed to renewed diplomatic momentum regarding the war in Ukraine, which has lasted for more than four and a half years.

“We agreed to meet in New York, and this meeting could change many things. There is diplomatic momentum.”

Diplomatic mediation and envoy missions

The phone call followed a visit to Kyiv by US chief negotiator Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The trip marked the first time both emissaries visited Ukraine in their mediation roles, having previously conducted multiple visits to Russia as well as mediating in the Middle East. Direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow mediated by the United States stalled during the previous winter and were suspended during the war involving Iran. Diplomatic contacts now seek to resume direct talks between the warring parties, a development that Moscow considers possible in October 2026.

Zelensky stated that Ukrainian and US officials examined core security details during the Kyiv visit and expressed readiness to take tangible diplomatic steps.

“There are ideas for de-escalation and for addressing fundamental security issues, including energy security, food security, and the protection of human life.”

Tensions over energy infrastructure strikes

During the telephone exchange, Axios reported that Trump repeatedly requested that Zelensky halt Ukrainian attacks against Russian oil refineries, citing sources familiar with the call. US concerns focus on rising global diesel prices caused by Ukrainian strikes against fuel processing facilities. The phone discussion took place following a large-scale Ukrainian drone and missile attack against targets in Russia, which killed 3 people, wounded approximately 20, and struck logistics hubs as well as oil facilities. In previous statements, Zelensky has continued to request additional air defence missiles from the United States to counter Russian ballistic missile strikes.

Sanctions legislation and United Nations agenda

During the call, Zelensky thanked Trump for enacting new economic measures targeting Moscow. Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on 18 September 2026. The legislation expands economic sanctions against Russia and Iran, named in honour of South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July 2026. The bill received approval from the US Senate in August 2026 and passed the House of Representatives on 16 September 2026.

The upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York will address the conflict directly. In addition to the bilateral talks between Trump and Zelensky, both the Ukrainian president and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are scheduled to address the assembly, while the United Nations Security Council has scheduled a session dedicated to the war in Ukraine.