President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in New York as Washington and Kyiv continue diplomatic discussions focused on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The Office of the President of Ukraine announced the agreement on September 20, 2026, following a telephone conversation between the two presidents.
According to the Ukrainian presidency, Zelenskyy described the peace track as Ukraine’s number-one diplomatic priority and said the discussion included possible de-escalation steps and fundamental security issues involving energy security, food security and protection of human life.
What is officially confirmed?
The official Ukrainian statement confirms that Zelenskyy and Trump held a telephone conversation and agreed to meet in New York.
The President’s Office did not publish a detailed negotiating document or a complete agenda for the meeting.
That distinction matters. The official announcement confirms continued high-level diplomacy, but it does not establish that a final peace agreement, ceasefire or territorial settlement has been reached.
The meeting follows renewed U.S.-Ukraine discussions
Zelenskyy also referred to the recent visit to Kyiv by U.S. presidential representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
According to the Ukrainian President’s Office, the American representatives discussed key details with the Ukrainian side and had an opportunity to see conditions in Ukraine directly.
The Ukrainian president said Kyiv is continuing to work with the U.S. team and is prepared for serious steps.
Peace track as the first priority
The Ukrainian presidency says Zelenskyy identified the peace track as the first priority.
Possible de-escalation measures were discussed, but the September 20 statement does not provide details of a specific de-escalation mechanism.
It would therefore be premature to characterize the conversation as agreement on a particular ceasefire formula.
Energy and food security
The official statement identifies several areas that Ukraine considers fundamental security questions:
- energy security;
- food security;
- protection of human life.
These subjects extend beyond conventional battlefield issues.
For Ukraine, energy infrastructure has become a major national-security concern during the war, while agricultural exports and Black Sea trade have global food-security implications.
Security guarantees remain a central question
Earlier Ukrainian statements concerning negotiations with U.S. representatives have connected a potential peace framework with wider questions including security guarantees, Ukraine’s future defense capability, reconstruction and economic recovery.
This suggests that Kyiv views a durable settlement as broader than the cessation of active hostilities alone.
A long-term arrangement would potentially have to address how Ukraine protects itself, rebuilds damaged infrastructure and attracts investment after the war.
Why New York matters
New York becomes a major diplomatic center during the high-level United Nations period, when national leaders and government delegations are present in the city at the same time.
A U.S.-Ukraine presidential meeting there could therefore occur alongside wider diplomatic contacts with European governments and other international partners.
The Ukrainian presidency has not yet published the precise date, detailed agenda or negotiating text for the planned meeting.
What the announcement does not prove
The official Ukrainian statement does not establish that:
- a ceasefire agreement has been reached;
- Ukraine and Russia have agreed on territorial questions;
- security guarantees have been finalized;
- a trilateral leaders’ meeting has been formally agreed;
- a final peace document is ready for signature.
Those questions remain open unless and until the governments involved publish additional official information.
What to watch next
Several developments will determine the significance of the planned New York meeting:
- whether the United States and Ukraine issue a joint statement;
- whether security guarantees become more clearly defined;
- whether territorial questions are addressed at presidential level;
- whether European governments participate in follow-up negotiations;
- whether reconstruction and economic support become part of a larger diplomatic framework;
- whether additional meetings involving Russia are formally announced.
Why this matters for Ukraine
The planned meeting shows that direct presidential-level U.S.-Ukraine diplomacy is continuing.
For Ukraine, the substance of those discussions could affect military assistance, security guarantees, economic reconstruction, energy security and the structure of any future negotiations concerning the war.
At this stage, however, UkraineView can confirm the meeting agreement and the subjects identified in the Ukrainian presidential statement — not a final diplomatic outcome.