Zelensky after call with Trump: New York meeting "could change a lot"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, during which the two agreed to meet in New York in the near future. According to Zelensky, the upcoming meeting could significantly change the course of events, and there is currently visible momentum in the diplomatic process.

Writing on social media, Zelensky described the call as important, saying the two leaders covered a great deal of ground. He also thanked Trump for the visit to Kyiv by US officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in early September, when the pair met with Zelensky and Ukrainian officials to discuss the US-led negotiation process aimed at ending the war. The outcomes of that visit were also discussed in detail during the call with Trump.

Priorities and security issues

The Ukrainian president stressed that the peace process is currently Ukraine's top priority. He said discussions are underway on possible de-escalation steps, as well as several security issues important to Ukraine — energy security, food security, and the protection of human lives. Zelensky noted that Ukraine continues working with the US team and is ready to take "truly serious steps," though he did not specify what those steps would involve.

Zelensky also thanked Trump for signing the so-called Lindsey Graham bill on September 18. The law expands the ability to impose sanctions on Russia and its economically linked partners, and grants the US president broader authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue to make significant purchases of Russian energy resources.

Zelensky concluded by thanking everyone standing with Ukraine, emphasizing that peace must be achieved.