Trump Continues Ukraine Peace Push as Zelenskyy Meeting Looms and Putin Talks Remain Unresolved

September 22, 2026 — President Donald Trump is renewing efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, combining talks with Kyiv and Moscow, economic pressure on Russia and proposals for limited de-escalation.

President Donald Trump is continuing his effort to broker an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as fighting intensifies and diplomatic contacts involving Washington, Kyiv and Moscow remain active.

The latest phase centers on a planned meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York during the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy said after speaking with Trump on September 20 that there was new “diplomatic momentum” and that their meeting could significantly affect efforts to stop the war.

The Ukrainian leader said discussions include possible de-escalation measures involving energy infrastructure, food exports and civilian protection, while describing achieving peace as his government’s top diplomatic priority.

Trump recently urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, citing concerns that refinery damage was contributing to diesel shortages and higher energy prices internationally.

Ukraine has indicated it could reduce attacks on Russian territory if Moscow commits to stopping strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities and other critical civilian infrastructure.

However, no comprehensive energy ceasefire has been announced, and Russian and Ukrainian forces continue conducting long-range drone and missile attacks against infrastructure and military-related targets.

The current diplomatic effort accelerated earlier this month after Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow and Kyiv for separate discussions with Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

Their talks produced no immediate public settlement, although Ukrainian officials described several American proposals as worth considering and said restarting a negotiating process was itself an important development.

Trump then spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 8 in a conversation the Kremlin described as constructive, frank and lasting approximately one hour.

According to Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, Trump told Putin he wanted the war ended quickly, arguing that peace could create opportunities for a broader restoration of U.S.-Russia relations.

Ushakov said Putin supported the general objective while giving Trump Russia’s assessment of battlefield conditions and discussing steps Moscow believed Washington could take to accelerate negotiations.

Trump subsequently said he believed Putin wanted an agreement, although U.S., Ukrainian and European officials cited by Reuters have continued questioning Moscow’s willingness to accept a workable settlement.

Major disagreements remain unresolved, including territorial control, long-term security arrangements for Ukraine, sanctions policy and the conditions under which Russia and Ukraine would halt military operations.

Meanwhile, battlefield violence remains intense. Recent Russian missile and drone attacks injured civilians in Kyiv and other regions, while Ukraine continued striking Russian refineries, airfields and logistics infrastructure.

Energy facilities have become especially important to negotiations because strikes by both sides affect electricity, fuel production, exports and preparations for winter, while also creating wider economic consequences.

Trump has also increased economic pressure on Moscow, signing a sweeping sanctions law September 18 targeting Russian officials, banks, defense interests and vessels used to transport sanctioned energy.

The legislation also authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on certain major purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, giving Washington another potential instrument in negotiations with Moscow.

Zelenskyy welcomed the new sanctions during his recent conversation with Trump, while continuing to seek additional air-defense support and stronger guarantees as negotiations move forward.

For now, diplomacy has not produced a ceasefire. The New York meeting will focus on whether narrower steps, particularly involving energy infrastructure, can create momentum toward broader negotiations.

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