US President Donald Trump is expected to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to support a reciprocal ceasefire covering energy infrastructure when the two leaders meet in New York on Tuesday, as attacks on oil refineries and power facilities intensify ahead of another winter of war.
Energy moves to centre of negotiations
Trump and Zelenskyy are due to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September. According to Reuters, an energy ceasefire is among the issues under discussion, with Trump asking Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries as part of a broader attempt to reduce hostilities.
Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks against Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries. Kyiv argues that the strikes weaken an industry that provides crucial revenue for Russia’s war effort.
Russia, meanwhile, continues attacks against Ukrainian electricity, gas and other critical infrastructure. Ukraine fears that these attacks could intensify as temperatures fall and demand for heating and electricity increases.
Zelenskyy signals conditional support
Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine is prepared to consider an energy ceasefire, but only if Russia also stops targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On Monday, the Ukrainian president said attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and food exports would have to stop before Kyiv implemented corresponding de-escalation measures.
That distinction is important. For Russia, the principal Ukrainian targets include oil refineries and other petroleum facilities. For Ukraine, Russian attacks threaten electricity generation, gas supplies and heating infrastructure directly affecting civilians.
Oil and diesel add economic pressure
Energy markets have added another dimension to the negotiations. Ukrainian strikes have damaged Russian refining capacity at a time when international fuel markets are already under pressure.
Trump said on Monday that Russia had lost control of part of its diesel industry following Ukrainian attacks and argued that the continuing war was contributing to global economic disruption.
Previous attempts to establish restrictions on attacks against energy targets have failed to produce a lasting ceasefire. Trump announced last week that the two countries had agreed to avoid energy infrastructure, but no effective bilateral agreement followed and strikes continued.
The New York meeting will therefore test whether Washington can turn the proposal into a reciprocal and enforceable arrangement — and whether a limited energy ceasefire could become a first step towards broader de-escalation.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 22 September 2026
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