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U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries during a phone call on September 20, saying the attacks were contributing to higher global diesel prices, Axios reported.
Zelenskyy said after the call that the two presidents had agreed to meet in New York this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He said the meeting could significantly affect the diplomatic process and that peace remained Ukraine’s top priority.
“An important conversation, and we managed to discuss many things. We agreed to meet in New York, and this meeting could change a lot. There is diplomatic momentum,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.
He also thanked Trump for sending Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv, saying the discussions had focused on key issues and allowed the U.S. officials to see the situation in Ukraine firsthand. Zelenskyy said the two sides were discussing possible de-escalation steps and fundamental security issues, including energy and food security and the protection of civilians.
Trump raises refinery strikes
A source familiar with the call told Axios that Trump repeatedly asked Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The source said the U.S. administration believes the strikes are contributing to higher global diesel prices.
“The word ‘diesel’ was mentioned many times during the conversation,” the source said.
The issue comes as Ukrainian forces have intensified long-range strikes against Russian targets, while Washington is seeking reciprocal steps from Moscow and Kyiv to reduce hostilities and restart negotiations. Axios reported that fighting has nevertheless intensified in recent days.
U.S.-Ukraine diplomacy
The planned meeting will take place only days after Trump signed a new sanctions bill targeting Russia and approved a major U.S. arms package for Ukraine. Zelenskyy thanked Trump for signing the legislation and said Kyiv was prepared to take “really serious steps” as part of efforts to advance the peace process.
Zelenskyy has also said that restarting negotiations is important and previously thanked Witkoff and Kushner for helping revive the diplomatic process.
Ukrainian negotiating team head Rustem Umerov has been working with White House officials on preparations for the meeting. According to Axios, Umerov has said there has been substantial progress in the negotiations, with only a small number of major issues still unresolved.
Umerov also rejected reports that Ukrainian officials were increasingly dissatisfied with Witkoff. He said he had worked with Witkoff and Kushner on a daily basis and described the cooperation positively.
“Our main focus is finding solutions to end the war and ensure security guarantees and prosperity for the Ukrainian people,” Umerov said.
The upcoming Trump-Zelenskyy meeting is expected to focus on possible de-escalation measures, security guarantees and efforts to revive negotiations as fighting continues.
