Zelensky to Push Trump for Energy Truce with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, where he will push for an energy truce with Russia.

After speaking to Trump by phone on Sunday, Zelensky pointed to “diplomatic momentum” and “ideas for de-escalation steps”. Moscow, however, has not indicated that it is prepared to pause its air campaign.

Zelensky wrote on X on Monday: “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.”

Trump announced last week that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike energy targets, but the apparent truce quickly unraveled when Russia hit gas stations in Kyiv and Ukraine bombed a Russian oil refinery. A person familiar with the matter said Trump had asked Zelensky to stop attacks on Russian refineries as part of a broader de-escalation effort, but Kyiv is reluctant to act unilaterally.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken more than 45% of the projected capacity of Russian oil refineries out of operation.

Zelensky also plans to discuss additional US-made Patriot air defense missiles for the winter if Russia is not prepared to de-escalate.

(Reuters, est)