Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to New York. The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where both leaders are scheduled to attend.
Zelenskyy confirmed the planned meeting following a telephone conversation with Trump, during which the two discussed several topics. While a specific date for the meeting has not yet been set, Zelenskyy emphasized the potential impact of the discussion regarding future negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. He noted that the diplomatic momentum is currently present.
The announcement follows a recent visit to Kyiv by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have been acting as mediators. The pair, who have previously visited Russia, are working to facilitate a resumption of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow under U.S. mediation. Zelenskyy stated that the peace process remains a top priority and indicated that there are ongoing discussions regarding de-escalation measures and fundamental security issues.
Zelenskyy expressed a willingness to take serious steps toward a resolution, though he did not provide specific details. Previous attempts at negotiations stalled last winter, and the conflict has continued with both sides accusing the other of lacking interest in ending the hostilities. Ukraine continues to seek Western military assistance, including air defense systems, to counter ongoing Russian attacks.