Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to organize a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the world leaders need to move "as quickly as possible" to bring an end to the war.
Zelenskyy spoke with Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday.
The high-stakes meeting provided Ukraine's president with a rare sit-down opportunity to discuss ways to bring an end to Russia's full-scale invasion, further U.S. air defense support and security guarantees for Kyiv.
A winter package of Patriot missiles and licenses to produce the weapons domestically were two priorities for Ukraine over the coming months, Zelenskyy said.
"President Trump, our teams, and I spoke about how to end the war. This is the priority. We are ready. I'm not sure Russia is ready as of today, but anyhow, we spoke about an energy ceasefire," Zelenskyy said overnight via social media, providing a roundup of his comments to reporters at the UNGA.
Ukraine's president confirmed Kyiv is ready to agree to an energy truce on the condition that Russia does not attack its energy, electricity and heating infrastructure, as well as its water supplies.
Trump has previously called on Ukraine to stop targeting Russian oil refineries with drone strikes, which he says are "hurting the world" as fuel supply disruptions from the Ukraine and Iran wars propel U.S. diesel prices to a record high.
In a post Monday on Truth Social, the U.S. president said Russia had "unfortunately lost control" of its diesel oil industry due to the war.
"I think the most important move President Trump can make – he can organize a trilateral meeting where the leaders can raise all the sensitive issues and try to end the war," Zelenskyy said.
Asked whether his comments mean he's prepared to meet directly with Putin and Trump to bring an end to the war, Zelenskyy replied: "I'm ready. I said it, I'm ready anytime when all the sides will be ready. I think we all need to move as quickly as possible."
CNBC has contacted a White House spokesperson and Russia's Embassy in London for comment and is awaiting a response.
A meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy before expert-level discussions have taken place would be a waste of time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, according to Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
"Regarding Putin's meeting with Zelensky, our position is well known. Putin said that Zelensky, if he wishes, can come to Moscow," Peskov said.
On his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump told reporters that he had spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart about finding a solution to end Russia's war. He also referenced a diplomatic push to bring an end to the conflict during his speech to UNGA delegates.
"We will get that one done," Trump said.
Diplomatic talks have stalled as the U.S. has shifted focus to its war against Iran, although negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff travelled to Ukraine for the first time for talks with Zelenskyy earlier in the month.
Ukraine, which has stepped up its strikes on Russian oil facilities and logistics infrastructure in recent months, also called on Trump to discuss ways to bring an end to the war with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.
"I said to the President, very openly, that we think if he also engages President Xi – he has influence on Putin. If we want to end this war, not just in messages, we all have to work 24/7 for this, for the people," Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has insisted that Russian energy sites are legitimate military targets as it continues to resist Russian forces that invaded the country in early 2022. Russia's Defense Ministry has said it is planning "massive strikes" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, amplifying fears of another winter assault.
