United Nations, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have said they will explore ways to end the war in Ukraine before winter, as they opened talks in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Trump said he and Zelensky had developed a strong working relationship and were seeking a solution to the conflict.
“We have a very good relationship going, the two of us, and we’re — the president and I are trying to figure out a solution,” Trump said, expressing confidence that an agreement could eventually be reached.
Zelensky thanked Trump for his support and acknowledged bipartisan backing in the United States, specifically referring to sanctions legislation associated with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
“I hope that we will end this war and President Trump will help us to end this war,” Zelensky said, stressing the need to act “as quick as possible, before winter.”
Trump echoed the urgency, saying: “Before winter. Big thing, before winter.”
The two leaders did not disclose the terms being discussed. Asked whether Ukraine could recover all its territory or would have to make concessions, Trump said he did not want to reveal the details of a potential agreement before the talks.
“Well, I think they’re going to make a deal and I don’t want to say what the deal is,” he said, adding that he had discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well.
Trump praised the Ukrainian military and leadership, describing Ukrainian forces as “very good fighters” and saying the country could be proud of their capabilities.
The US President also described Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil-refining infrastructure as a serious blow, while noting their impact on diesel prices.
“It is a serious hit on the Russians,” Trump said. “It’s also a serious hit on the price of diesel.”
The meeting also included discussions on possible future talks involving Trump, Zelensky and Putin. Trump said he believed Putin was willing to meet and referred to his previous meeting with the Russian President in Alaska, while stopping short of committing to another meeting in Miami.
“I think they both want to see the war end, to be honest with you,” Trump said, referring to Putin and Zelensky. “It’s time; a lot of people being killed, and they don’t want that.”
Military production and air defence were also expected to feature in the discussions. Asked about possible US support for production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine, Trump said the issue would be addressed during the meeting.
“We’re talking about that; we’ll be talking about that now,” he said, describing Ukrainians as highly capable.
Ahead of the meeting, Zelensky had indicated that Ukraine was prepared to consider an energy ceasefire with Russia if Moscow also stopped attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He said Kyiv was ready to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities on a reciprocal basis.
The talks followed recent discussions between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian officials on possible ideas for ending the war. Zelensky had said after those meetings that several proposals were worth working on, although the discussions had not produced a breakthrough.
The latest Trump-Zelensky meeting comes amid continued attacks on energy infrastructure on both sides and renewed diplomatic efforts to establish measures that could lead to broader negotiations.
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