Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday to push for an energy truce with Russia.
Following a telephone conversation with Trump on Sunday, Zelenskiy pointed to what he described as diplomatic momentum and possible de-escalation measures.
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“Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will lead to matching de-escalation steps on our part. Solutions are possible,” he wrote on X on Monday.
Trump has expressed concern over damage to Russian oil refineries targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks and has urged Zelenskiy to halt such strikes as part of a broader effort to reduce tensions.
Trump announced last week that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike energy targets, but the apparent understanding was followed by further attacks, including Russian strikes on petrol stations in Kyiv and a Ukrainian attack on a Russian oil refinery.
Zelenskiy’s meeting with Trump will take place during the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.
A source familiar with the matter said an energy ceasefire was among the issues under discussion and that Trump had asked Zelenskiy to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Kyiv has been reluctant to halt such attacks unilaterally, viewing strikes on Russia’s oil industry as a means of increasing pressure on Moscow to return to negotiations.
Zelenskiy is also expected to discuss with Trump how Ukraine can obtain additional US-made Patriot air defence missiles ahead of winter if Russia does not agree to de-escalation.
Russia has significantly increased its use of drones in attacks on Ukraine in recent months, while Ukrainian officials have raised concerns over the country’s ability to protect critical infrastructure from missile and drone strikes.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected in New York and is due to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.
Reuters
