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Ukraine ready for energy truce with Russia, Zelensky says

23.09.2026 09:30
Ukraine will accept any form of ceasefire protecting energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, adding that Washington has agreed to relay the offer to Moscow.
Audio
  • Trump and Zelensky discuss ceasefire, winter and a possible meeting with Putin
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky participates in a meeting with US President Donald Trump during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 22, 2026.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky participates in a meeting with US President Donald Trump during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 22, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

Zelensky made the comments at a news conference on Tuesday following his talks with US President Donald Trump in New York, where both leaders were attending the UN General Assembly's general debate.

"We are ready for any form of energy truce. That means we will not carry out attacks on energy facilities — on the entire energy sector, on everything. That is our proposal. We are very grateful to the American side. They will pass this on to the Russians," Zelensky said.

He said he did not know how Russia would respond.

Patriot missile licence

Zelensky said Trump had reacted favourably to a Ukrainian request for a licence to produce missiles for the Patriot air defence system domestically.

He said manufacturer Raytheon had signalled it was ready to cooperate.

"We need a licence to prepare production of the Patriot system. Raytheon is ready, I asked President Trump for help with this. He responded positively. Hopefully we can begin this process," Zelensky said.

He estimated the project could take a year to 18 months, calling it an investment in Ukraine's future even as it develops its own missile defence system.

Zelensky added that Kyiv has separately asked Washington for a winter support package covering further Patriot deliveries, which the United States has agreed to consider. He said Ukraine would pursue the package with other partners, including Middle Eastern countries.

Putin meeting

Zelensky repeated that he is willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "at any time," once all parties are ready, and said he supports Trump's push for a three-way summit.

But he said he doubted Putin was ready for such talks, or to end the war.

Trump, asked earlier about a possible trilateral meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Miami, said he did not expect it to happen there, though he noted Putin wants to meet.

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Source: PAP

Click on the audio player above for a report by Agnieszka Łaszczuk