Trump Expected to Press Zelensky on Energy Ceasefire During UNGA Meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to urge Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to an energy-related ceasefire with Russia when the two leaders meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. The meeting comes amid intensified Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure and a sharp rise in global diesel prices.

Over the weekend, Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russia's energy sector, including one of the largest drone strikes on the Moscow region since the war began. The attack reportedly damaged a major oil refinery and killed three people.

Speaking on Monday, Trump said the world is suffering from an energy crisis and accused Ukraine of worsening the situation. In a post on Truth Social, he claimed that Russia had lost control of much of its diesel fuel industry because of the war, adding that several Russian diesel refineries had been destroyed or temporarily put out of operation.

Trump also renewed his call for an end to what he described as the "ridiculous and endless" war, claiming that around 25,000 people—most of them soldiers—are being killed every month.

Although Russia has continued its campaign of drone and ballistic missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and has inflicted widespread damage on Ukraine's economy, Trump blamed Kyiv's strikes on Russian energy facilities for escalating the global energy crisis.

Zelensky said on Monday that discussions on de-escalation were ongoing and that several proposals aimed at advancing peace were being considered. He said Russia must stop targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, critical facilities and food export routes, adding that Ukraine would be prepared to take reciprocal steps to reduce tensions.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a possible agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure during Tuesday's meeting. During a visit to Ireland last week, Trump publicly urged Zelensky to stop targeting Russia's diesel production facilities, suggesting that Ukraine focus on other military targets because attacks on diesel infrastructure were contributing to global fuel shortages.

Trump and Zelensky also spoke by phone on Sunday. A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that the conversation focused primarily on "diesel, diesel and diesel."

The average price of diesel in the United States reached a record $6.50 per gallon on Monday, compared with $3.19 during the same period last year. Global energy supplies have also come under pressure after Iran reportedly disrupted most international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

The surge in fuel prices is widely seen as a political challenge for Trump's Republican Party ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November.

Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday morning. He is also expected to hold meetings with representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez, among other key energy-producing nations.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump's address would highlight his administration's efforts to tackle major global challenges and showcase peace agreements that have either been concluded or are currently under negotiation.

Last week, Trump announced what he described as an "energy ceasefire," claiming that both Ukraine and Russia had agreed to refrain from attacking each other's energy infrastructure. However, no formal agreement has been finalized, and Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities and other critical infrastructure have continued.