Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 21 September 2026 confirmed that he and US President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in New York, describing the planned encounter as potentially transformative for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Writing in a post on X after a phone call with Trump, Zelensky said the 'peace track is our number one priority' and that Ukraine was prepared to take 'really serious steps' in close coordination with the American team.

What Zelensky Said

'We agreed to meet in New York, and this meeting could change a lot. There is diplomatic momentum,' Zelensky wrote, signalling a renewed push for a negotiated end to the war. He described the conversation with Trump as covering 'substantial ground' but did not announce a date for the summit or disclose what specific outcomes the two leaders were hoping to secure.

Zelensky identified energy security, food security, and the protection of human life as issues under active discussion. 'There are ideas for de-escalation steps and for addressing fundamental security issues — energy security, food security, and the protection of human life,' he said, without elaborating on individual proposals or implementation timelines.

The Witkoff-Kushner Visit to Kyiv

Zelensky thanked Trump for dispatching Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv, saying their visit had enabled detailed discussions and given both Americans a direct, on-the-ground view of conditions inside Ukraine. 'We went through the key details thoroughly, and they saw the situation in Ukraine firsthand,' he said. The visit underscores the Trump administration's growing operational involvement in back-channel diplomacy ahead of any formal summit.

The Lindsey Graham Bill

In a notable aside, Zelensky also thanked Trump for signing legislation he referred to as the Lindsey Graham bill into law. The post did not provide the legislation's formal title, describe its provisions, or clarify how it connects to the broader diplomatic steps under discussion. The reference, however, suggests a legislative dimension to US support for Ukraine that is running alongside the peace track.

What Remains Unclear

Zelensky's post was notably careful in its framing. He did not identify the 'serious steps' Ukraine was prepared to take, did not indicate whether those steps would require reciprocal action from Russia, and made no mention of any commitments from Moscow. No timetable was set for implementing de-escalation measures. This comes amid broader international pressure for a ceasefire, with several European allies watching the US-Ukraine diplomatic channel closely for signals of any breakthrough framework.

Whether the New York meeting produces a concrete peace roadmap or remains an expression of intent will depend heavily on whether Russia engages — a variable Zelensky's statement left conspicuously unaddressed.