Zelenskyy Says Kyiv and Washington Aim to End Ukraine Conflict Before Winter Arrives

Published on 22/09/2026 – 23:13 GMT+2

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv and Washington are seeking to conclude the war in Ukraine before winter, following what he characterized as a positive meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy and Trump met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, where the Ukrainian leader said they discussed possible de‑escalatory steps that could pave the way for diplomacy.

He wrote on social media, “I just had a positive and productive meeting with President Trump. Both the United States and Ukraine want to see this senseless Russian war end before winter.”

He added that they also discussed a winter air‑defence package for Ukraine, as well as other bilateral and multilateral issues.

Russia has maintained a relentless barrage of Ukrainian cities and regions since launching its full‑scale invasion in February 2022, with a particular focus on targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the winter months.

Ukraine has also struck the Russian energy sector as part of its deep‑strike campaign, which aims to weaken a key component of the Russian economy and undermine the Kremlin’s war effort.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly attacked oil facilities, including refineries, terminals, and depots. Earlier on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that one oil refinery in Bashkortostan and another in the Samara region had been hit within the past 24 hours.

Speaking alongside Zelenskyy in New York, Trump described the Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities as a “very serious hit” on Russia, while also noting their impact on diesel prices.

On Monday, Trump claimed that Russia had “unfortunately lost control of its diesel oil industry” because of the war with Ukraine, calling for an end to what he termed the “ridiculous and never‑ending” conflict.

He wrote on his Truth Social account, “A large number of their diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission. The whole world suffers as roughly 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are killed each month. What a shame!”

Zelenskyy replied that Ukraine would be willing to halt strikes on Russia’s energy industry if Moscow agreed to reciprocate.

He wrote on X, “Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and food exports must cease to be targets for Russia; this would enable matching de‑escalation steps from our side. Solutions are possible.”

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