Zelenskiy to Meet Trump at UN to Discuss 'Energy Truce' With Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in New York on Tuesday to push for an "energy truce" with Russia, according to a Reuters report. The high-stakes discussion, taking place during the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders, aims to de-escalate the escalating attacks on both nations' critical energy facilities.

A Push for De-escalation

Kyiv is reportedly concerned that Moscow will intensify its attacks on Ukrainian heating and power infrastructure as winter approaches. Following a phone call with Trump on Sunday, Zelenskiy noted what he called "diplomatic momentum" and "ideas for de-escalation steps."

"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," Zelenskiy wrote on the social media platform X on Monday. However, Russia, which possesses superior missile capabilities, has not publicly signaled any intent to pause its aerial campaign.

Political and Economic Pressures

The proposed truce comes as President Trump faces domestic pressure from high gas prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November. According to Reuters, Trump has expressed concern over the damage inflicted on Russian oil refineries by Ukrainian drone attacks, which has impacted global fuel markets. An unnamed source familiar with the matter said Trump has asked Zelenskiy to halt these attacks as part of a broader de-escalation effort.

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On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil industry due to its War with Ukraine" and that "the whole World suffers." For its part, Kyiv views the damage to Russia's vital oil industry as its primary leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.

Context and Challenges

Any potential agreement faces significant hurdles, underscored by the volatile relationship between the two leaders and the fragility of past attempts at a ceasefire. An earlier announcement by Trump of an agreement not to strike energy targets was immediately followed by a Russian strike on petrol stations in Kyiv and a Ukrainian attack on a Russian refinery.

If a truce cannot be reached, Zelenskiy is expected to discuss sourcing additional U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. These systems are critical for Ukraine to intercept the ballistic missiles that Russia has increasingly deployed in recent months.