US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he believes Ukraine and Russia could soon reach an agreement as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump said his relationship with Zelenskyy remained strong and that both sides were working to find a solution to the conflict. He also described relations between the US and Europe as strong.
Asked whether Ukraine could regain all of its territory, Trump avoided outlining the terms of a potential agreement but said he believed a deal would eventually be reached. He noted that the issue had been discussed frequently, including in conversations involving Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump praised Ukrainian forces, describing them as highly capable fighters and saying the country could take pride in their performance.
He also referred to Ukrainian strikes targeting Russia’s oil-refining infrastructure, saying the attacks appeared to have significantly affected Russian refining capacity and diesel prices.
Trump said both Putin and Zelenskyy wanted the conflict to end, pointing to the large number of casualties caused by the war and arguing that it was time for the fighting to stop.
Regarding possible Patriot missile production in Ukraine, Trump said discussions were continuing and praised Ukraine’s production capabilities and personnel.
Zelenskyy said he hoped the war could be brought to an end with Trump’s assistance. He stressed the need for a resolution as quickly as possible, particularly before the arrival of winter.
PRESS UPDATE