Meeting for 40 minutes, Ukraine and the U.S. discuss ceasefire agreement again, Peskov: Currently, there are no conditions for entering negotiations.

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin] According to reports from Reuters, Ukrainian media, and others, on the 22nd local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky had a meeting with U.S. President Trump for about 40 minutes during the UN General Assembly held in New York. After the meeting, Zelensky told the media that the two sides discussed issues such as a ceasefire in the energy sector between Ukraine and Russia and how to end the conflict. He stated that if Russia does not attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Ukraine is ready to reach any form of energy ceasefire agreement with Russia, and the U.S. side will convey this proposal to Russia. He is also prepared to hold a trilateral meeting with Russian President Putin and Trump.

According to reports, Trump stated to the media on the 22nd during his meeting with Zelensky that he believes Ukraine and Russia will eventually reach a peace agreement, but he does not want to disclose the specific content of the agreement, noting that both sides "want to see the war end." When discussing Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian oil refineries, Trump described it as a "heavy blow" to both Russia and diesel prices. He also believes that Putin is still willing to meet with him again, but not necessarily at the G20 leaders' summit in Miami in December. After the meeting with Trump, Zelensky stated on social media that the meeting was "positive and productive." Both Ukraine and the U.S. hope that the Russia-Ukraine conflict can end before winter arrives. The two sides discussed various measures that could help ease the situation and pave the way for diplomatic solutions. Additionally, they discussed other bilateral and multilateral issues, including an air defense assistance program aimed at helping Ukraine cope with the winter situation. The U.S. and Ukrainian teams are continuing to advance the work related to the production of "Patriot" air defense system interceptors in Ukraine.

On the 22nd local time, Zelensky told the media after the meeting that the U.S. did not request Ukraine to unilaterally stop attacking Russian energy facilities. The two sides discussed a ceasefire in the energy sector between Ukraine and Russia, which could become the first phase in ending the conflict. Furthermore, he made two requests to the U.S., namely to provide Ukraine with a batch of "Patriot" interceptors for winter needs and to allow Ukraine to produce these interceptors domestically. He stated that he has not yet received a very specific response from the U.S., but "no one has refused." Zelensky also expressed hope that Trump would facilitate a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia to seek an end to the conflict.

TASS reported on the 23rd that Russian presidential press secretary Peskov stated that day that the West's talk of a ceasefire in the energy sector is merely a pretext, as it continues to provide weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine's "militarization" is ongoing, and European countries are trying to find more funding to purchase weapons for Ukraine. He also said that Russia remains open to peace negotiations. However, due to Ukraine's continued "terrorist activities," there are currently no preconditions for entering a peace negotiation track. Peskov also stated that Putin is willing to meet with Trump, but specific arrangements have not yet been determined. Holding a high-level meeting on the Ukraine issue without prior technical preparations by experts would be meaningless. Regarding a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, Russia's position is well known. If Zelensky is willing, he can come to Moscow, and Russia will provide security guarantees for him. Zelensky is very clear about the decisions he needs to make to end the conflict.

Reuters reported on the 22nd that in recent weeks, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range attacks on each other, targeting ports, warehouses, ships, and energy infrastructure, which has severely hindered grain exports from the Black Sea region. As winter approaches, Ukraine is concerned that Russia will again launch fierce attacks on its heating and power facilities. The consumption of "Patriot" interceptors in the U.S. war against Iran has led to a tight supply of these interceptors globally, including U.S. stockpiles. Reports indicate that on the 22nd, Zelensky also proposed that as a condition for obtaining U.S. stockpiles of "Patriot" interceptors, Ukraine is willing to transfer its future batches of interceptors reserved under an agreement with Germany. Germany had previously agreed to provide Ukraine with 600 interceptors for the 2027-2028 fiscal year.

Bloomberg reported that Russia may have been stockpiling ballistic missiles since August in preparation for attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this winter. Some of Ukraine's Western allies are concerned that if Ukraine cannot survive this winter, "it will ultimately lose this war." According to Ukraine's "National Network," the head of the Ukrainian Utility Consumers Alliance, Bopienko, recently stated that Ukraine needs to reach a "ceasefire" in the energy sector; otherwise, compared to last winter, Ukraine will face a "doomsday winter" this year.