In light of ongoing field escalation and faltering diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a stable negotiating path, US President Donald Trump renewed his pressure to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, one day before his expected meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York City.
In a post on the “Truth Social” platform on Monday, the US President said that Russia had “lost control” of its diesel fuel sector after a number of its refineries were out of service as a result of the strikes, stressing that “this ridiculous, endless war with Ukraine must end.”
Trump’s statements coincide with an escalating crisis in global diesel markets, as strikes against Russian refining facilities, along with other regional unrest, have resulted in increased pressure on supplies and higher prices globally.
In a quick response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed on the “X” platform that the Russian war on his country “must end,” pointing to the huge human losses and destruction it has caused since its outbreak, in addition to its threat to food security, disturbances in the energy sector, and the acceleration in the use of military technologies, especially drones.
Zelensky explained that there is an ongoing dialogue with Trump and the US administration, noting that ideas have been presented to begin practical steps to reduce the escalation. These proposals include Russia stopping targeting the Ukrainian energy sector, vital infrastructure, and food exports, with Kiev responding to this with similar steps. A day earlier, Zelensky had indicated that achieving peace was a priority for his country, pointing out that the discussions with Washington focused on energy and food security and the protection of civilians.
The Ukrainian President also expressed his country’s readiness to discuss these proposals with partners on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, where he will meet with Trump to discuss the course of the war and the possibility of reviving negotiations.
For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Moscow still hopes to resume the tripartite talks bringing together Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, while acknowledging that no progress has been achieved so far, stressing at the same time his country’s openness to negotiations in parallel with the continuation of its military operations.
In terms of economic sanctions, American pressure on Moscow entered a new phase following Trump’s signing on September 18 of the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” which expands the scope of sanctions and restrictions imposed on Russia, especially in the energy and defense sectors and oil export networks, giving the US administration additional tools to tighten the economic noose on Moscow.
The Kremlin had warned before signing the law that these sanctions would not contribute to advancing the settlement process, considering that they would further complicate efforts to reach an agreement regarding Ukraine.
It is noteworthy that the Russian-Ukrainian war broke out in February 2022, and the confrontation entered its fifth year without reaching a final settlement. Despite the American mediation efforts and communications conducted by the Trump administration with both parties to the conflict, negotiations are still faltering amid continuing mutual strikes on infrastructure and energy facilities, while the upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelensky in New York is seen as a new pivotal station, especially in light of the signing of the sanctions law and the introduction of initiatives to stop mutual attacks on the energy sector.
