**New York, NY – September 23, 2025** – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump today on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. This marks their fourth encounter since Trump's return to office, occurring amidst heightened tensions between NATO and Moscow, and a stalled U.S.-led peace initiative for Ukraine. The meeting focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, European energy dependence on Russia, and the ongoing conflict.

President Trump expressed strong respect for Ukraine's efforts in the conflict, stating, "We have great respect for the fight Ukraine is putting up. It is pretty amazing." President Zelensky, in turn, urged for increased international pressure and more sanctions against Russia. He highlighted battlefield advancements, noting that Ukrainian troops had advanced approximately 360 kilometers (223 miles) in recent weeks, inflicting significant losses on Russian forces. Zelensky emphasized the need for continued efforts until Russia ceases its aggression.

A significant point of discussion was the potential for U.S. involvement in security guarantees for Ukraine, should a peace deal be reached. President Trump indicated that the U.S. would be willing to support European efforts in policing any peace agreement, though details remain vague. This follows previous discussions where Trump had ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine but expressed support for security guarantees. Zelenskyy has consistently sought such assurances to prevent future Russian aggression.

The conversation also touched upon European allies' reliance on Russian energy resources. President Trump stated his intention to speak with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a personal friend, to urge him to cease purchasing Russian oil. Trump has been advocating for European allies to reduce their dependence on Russian energy, arguing that continued purchases fuel Russia's war efforts.

Regarding potential direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Trump offered a non-committal response when asked about his trust in Putin, stating, "I'll let you know in about a month from now." While Trump had previously pledged to arrange a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, efforts have been complicated by Moscow's reluctance to engage in direct talks with Zelensky on neutral ground. Zelensky has reiterated his readiness to meet Putin, but only on neutral territory, and has rejected proposals for talks in Moscow. The Ukrainian president has also expressed a desire for Trump to take "strong personal steps" to "make Putin afraid of him" and has called for a clear position from Trump on sanctions and security guarantees.