Zelensky to Meet Trump in NYC Next Week to Press Postwar Security Guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that he plans to meet with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week to discuss postwar security guarantees Kyiv views as critical to any peace agreement with Russia. The planned encounter underscores Kyiv’s push to secure a framework of guarantees as the war, launched in early 2022, enters its fourth year.

The push comes amid renewed diplomacy as Kyiv seeks assurances it says are essential to any endgame, while Russia’s Vladimir Putin has repeatedly rejected direct peace talks unless Moscow’s preconditions are met. The invasion continues to shape security calculations across Europe and the wider Western alliance, even as Kyiv presses Western partners for guarantees that could deter renewed aggression.

Zelensky, in remarks circulated by his office and reported by AFP, said sanctions would likely follow if there is no meeting between the leaders or a ceasefire, and that Ukraine remains ready for talks with Putin but that Moscow has shown no willingness to engage. He noted that Kyiv could pursue both bilateral and trilateral formats if negotiations occur, though Moscow has yet to signal it is prepared to move in that direction.

Ahead of the anticipated sit-down with Trump, Zelensky’s right-hand man, Andriy Yermak, spoke by phone Saturday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a post on X, Yermak said the two discussed preparations for security guarantees for Ukraine and the potential expansion of cooperation in military, defense, and economic areas. The talks were described by Reuters as part of Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to shore up assurances before any possible dialogue with Moscow.

Zelensky also told reporters in Kyiv on Friday that there would be a “very likely” meeting between the first ladies of Ukraine and the United States on a humanitarian issue relating to children, Interfax Ukraine reported. The statement highlights Kyiv’s emphasis on broader humanitarian considerations tied to the war and its aftermath.

The UN General Assembly meeting in New York remains a focal point for Western diplomacy as Kyiv seeks to translate diplomatic momentum into concrete security commitments. Moscow has signaled it expects concessions in exchange for any halt to hostilities, a stance that has complicated prospects for early breakthroughs. Analysts cautioned that any durable settlement would need concrete guarantees that address deterrence, regional security interests, and the broader security architecture surrounding Europe.

The weekend discussions and the Trump appearance, if realized, would add a high-profile element to a week already characterized by diplomatic maneuvering among Western leaders seeking to keep pressure on Moscow while exploring avenues to end the conflict._kept in perspective, observers say that while such meetings can shape perceptions and momentum, the path to a durable peace remains complex and contingent on broader strategic calculations by Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow.>