Zelenskyy to seek offramp for years-long Russia war in UN speech after Trump reveals peace deal is close

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NEW YORK — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday as President Donald Trump presses for an end to Russia’s war and Kyiv seeks to shape the emerging diplomatic push after more than four-and-a-half years of conflict.

Zelenskyy’s speech comes the day after he met with Trump in New York, where the two discussed finally putting an end to the war. Trump said that he believes a deal can be reached, though he did not disclose what that agreement would involve.

“We’re working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, and we will get that one done,” Trump said, adding that an agreement would happen “more quickly than people understand.”

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Zelenskyy and Trump sit across from each other

The Ukrainian president has said he is bringing “concrete security proposals and de-escalation measures” to New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gahtering. His government is also seeking additional air defenses, support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and help protecting food exports through the Black Sea.

The meeting with Trump came as Russia and Ukraine appeared to be weighing a possible pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy has said Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and food exports should stop, followed by matching de-escalation steps from Kyiv.

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Trump has also urged Ukraine to halt its strikes on Russian oil refineries. Ahead of his meeting with Zelenskyy, he called the campaign “a serious hit against the Russians,” but added, “It’s also a serious hit on the price of diesel.” In his U.N. address on Tuesday, Trump said he could use new tariff authority against buyers of Russian energy “if necessary” to bring the war to an end.

“This ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended. The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!” Trump said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (front), President of Ukraine, speaks on Ukraine during a Security Council meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's general debate. Over 140 heads of state and government are expected to attend the world's largest diplomatic event over several days.

The competing priorities are likely to shape the diplomatic conversation around Zelenskyy’s Wednesday appearance before UNGA — Trump is pressing for a faster path to negotiations, while Ukraine is seeking the military support and security commitments it says are necessary for any agreement to hold.

The timing is especially consequential as winter approaches.

U.N. investigators have warned that renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid could leave millions without electricity or heat. Kyiv is seeking more Patriot air defense systems, energy assistance and support for efforts to produce U.S.-designed interceptors inside Ukraine.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin sits at a table.

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Zelenskyy’s remarks could offer a clearer indication of how Kyiv views the next phase of the war, including what it expects from Washington, how much responsibility it wants Europe to assume and what conditions it would attach to any cease-fire or peace agreement.

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