Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and United States President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in New York during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, as diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine continue.
Zelenskyy announced the planned meeting on Sunday, September 20, following a telephone conversation with Trump. He described the discussion as important and said the meeting in New York “could change a lot” in efforts to resolve the conflict.
“We agreed to meet in New York, and this meeting could change a lot. There is diplomatic momentum,” Zelenskyy said in a statement published after the call.
The two leaders are expected to be in New York this week for the high-level session of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where the war in Ukraine is expected to be among the major issues discussed by world leaders.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s peace efforts remained its “number-one priority” and said the two sides had discussed possible measures aimed at reducing tensions.
“There are ideas for de-escalation steps and for addressing fundamental security issues – energy security, food security, and the protection of human life,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also thanked Trump for sending US special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner to Kyiv earlier this month. According to Zelenskyy, the American officials had the opportunity to assess the situation in Ukraine firsthand.
“We are working together with the American team and are ready to take really serious steps,” Zelenskyy said.
The planned meeting comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues despite ongoing US diplomatic efforts. Recent attacks have included Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has also carried out attacks against Russian military and energy-related targets.
The diplomatic push comes at a significant moment, with nearly 130 heads of state expected to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. The war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and the growing risks associated with artificial intelligence are expected to dominate discussions.
Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian and American teams would continue working together on the proposed steps. He also thanked Trump for signing a new sanctions bill targeting Russia and countries supporting its war effort.
The meeting would provide the two presidents with another opportunity to discuss possible de-escalation measures and the broader prospects for negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which has now lasted more than four years.
