U.S. President Donald Trump said the war between Ukraine and Russia could end sooner than many people expect following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly as Washington intensified efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Trump described the meeting as productive and said the United States was working closely with both Kyiv and Moscow. However, no detailed framework for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal was announced.
Zelenskyy Proposes Energy Ceasefire
Zelenskyy presented a more immediate proposal calling for a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure and operations in the Black Sea.
Ukraine is seeking a complete energy ceasefire as colder weather approaches following a difficult winter and continued Russian attacks on the country’s power infrastructure.
Despite renewed diplomatic activity, Russian strikes against Ukraine have continued. Recent attacks have targeted Kyiv, railways, energy facilities and residential buildings using ballistic missiles and drones.
Trump told the United Nations that he believes the conflict could end sooner than expected, but did not provide a timeline or disclose the terms of a potential agreement.
EU Removes Two Russians From Sanctions List
Diplomatic discussions over Ukraine came as the European Union removed two Russian business figures from its sanctions blacklist following intensive negotiations among member states.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs warned that selectively removing individuals from sanctions lists could contribute to the normalization of relations with Russia while the war continues.
The latest developments also coincided with a separate agreement signed by the United States, Denmark and Greenland to strengthen Arctic security.
The agreement allows a larger U.S. military presence in Greenland but stops short of Trump’s earlier demand that the territory become part of the United States.
Denmark and Greenland had rejected a full American takeover of the strategically located and mineral-rich Arctic island.
While Trump expressed confidence that a Ukraine-Russia peace deal may be approaching, continued military attacks and the absence of publicly confirmed terms indicate that major obstacles remain.
