Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on a proposed energy truce between Russia and Ukraine as both countries continue attacks on critical infrastructure. The meeting comes as Kyiv seeks greater international support for its position while also facing concerns about further Russian strikes on its power and heating systems ahead of winter.
Zelenskyy arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly as diplomatic efforts surrounding the war continue, with the Ukrainian president expected to discuss possible measures for reducing hostilities as well as additional military support for his country. The proposed energy truce has become one of the issues surrounding those discussions because repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have damaged electricity and fuel systems on both sides.
Zelenskyy Seeks Progress on Energy Truce
The proposed energy truce would involve Russia and Ukraine stopping attacks on energy infrastructure, potentially reducing the damage caused by the continuing aerial campaign and providing some protection for vital facilities as winter approaches. Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine would consider matching measures if Russia stops targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, critical infrastructure and important export routes.
However, the proposal faces a difficult test because Russia and Ukraine have continued launching attacks against each other’s infrastructure. Reuters reported that an earlier understanding over avoiding energy targets broke down quickly, with both sides resuming strikes after the reported agreement. The continuing attacks have therefore raised questions about whether the two governments can establish a truce that both sides would follow.
Ukraine has also continued targeting Russian energy infrastructure, including oil facilities, as part of its wider military campaign against Moscow. Kyiv has argued that attacks on Russian energy assets can put pressure on the country’s war effort, while Trump has urged Zelenskyy to stop strikes against Russian oil refineries as Washington pushes for a reduction in hostilities.
The disagreement over those attacks could become an important part of the Trump-Zelenskyy discussions because the two leaders have different immediate concerns surrounding the proposed energy truce. While Ukraine wants protection for its energy infrastructure and continued assistance against Russian attacks, the Trump administration has also expressed concern about the effects of attacks on Russian oil facilities.
Russia-Ukraine Attacks Continue
The diplomatic discussions are taking place against the backdrop of continued attacks across Ukraine and Russia. According to Associated Press reporting, Russian missile and drone attacks struck several Ukrainian regions overnight on Tuesday, killing five people and causing damage, while Ukrainian forces also targeted a Russian oil refinery in a long-range attack.
The continued exchange of attacks has increased pressure on efforts to establish any temporary reduction in hostilities, particularly as Ukraine prepares for another winter in which damage to electricity and heating infrastructure could have serious consequences for civilians. Kyiv has repeatedly sought stronger air-defence capabilities to protect its cities and critical facilities from Russian missiles and drones.
Zelenskyy is also expected to raise Ukraine’s need for additional U.S. air-defence support during his meeting with Trump, including Patriot missile systems that Kyiv considers important for defending against Russia’s aerial attacks. The issue is particularly significant as Ukraine attempts to protect its infrastructure while continuing to resist Russian military operations.
The proposed energy truce has also attracted attention from European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron said he discussed with Trump initiatives for a mutual moratorium on Russian and Ukrainian attacks against energy infrastructure. Macron is also expected to discuss the proposal with Zelenskyy as European governments continue diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the impact of the war.
For Ukraine, an agreement on energy infrastructure could help reduce the immediate pressure on its power system, while Russia could also seek protection for its oil and energy facilities from Ukrainian long-range attacks. Reaching such an arrangement would nevertheless require both sides to accept restrictions on military operations that they have continued to use during the conflict.
The Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at the United Nations therefore comes at a significant moment for discussions surrounding the war, with the proposed energy truce offering one possible area for limited de-escalation even as broader disagreements between Russia and Ukraine remain unresolved.
It remains unclear whether the two countries can turn the current diplomatic discussions into a practical arrangement, but Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump could provide further details about the proposal and the conditions Kyiv and Washington believe would be necessary for it to succeed.
