Zelenskyy in US for high-stakes talks with Trump amid war and energy crisis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States on Oct. 16 for a closely watched visit that could shape the next phase of Ukraine’s defense and energy resilience efforts as Russia’s war grinds on. 

He is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, on Oct. 17 for their fifth bilateral meeting since the start of Trump’s second presidential term, indicating the depth, and stakes, of the relationship at this phase in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. 

The talks, scheduled to begin with a brief news spray before a bilateral working lunch, come as Kyiv pushes for stronger military and energy support from Washington and its defense industry. 

Zelenskyy has signaled that he hopes these discussions will generate momentum similar to diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East. 

“Putin is certainly no braver than Hamas or any other terrorist. The language of strength and justice will also work against Russia,” Zelenskyy said.

In the opening hours of his visit, Zelenskyy held talks with top U.S. energy industry leaders. At Raytheon Technologies, which makes Tomahawk and Patriot missiles, he discussed battlefield needs, expanded production capacity, and potential joint ventures to bolster Ukraine’s air defense and long-range strike capabilities.  

He also met with executives from Lockheed Martin to outline Ukraine’s specific requirements for air defense, missiles, and F-16 jets. 

Energy security, a critical vulnerability for Ukraine as winter approaches, features prominently on Zelenskyy’s agenda. In talks with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and American energy executives, the Ukrainian president pressed for urgent support to stabilize Ukraine’s power grid amid intensifying Russian strikes. 

“The challenge is clear — Ukraine needs more strength, and we can achieve this together,” Zelenskyy said. “We discussed the urgent needs of the moment — very concrete measures to support our energy system, as well as long-term cooperation.”

The leaders’ meeting is scheduled for the evening of Oct. 17, with the start of the discussion open to the press. The talks will take place over a bilateral working lunch, according to European Pravda.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said he hopes the meeting with Trump will help generate the same “momentum” that curbed conflicts in the Middle East and could contribute to ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

At the White House, military assistance, air defense coordination, and the broader U.S. role in shaping a potential path toward ending the war are all the expected discussion topics on Oct. 17. 

The frequency of the in-person meetings between Zelenskyy and Trump accentuates the strategic clout of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship in a moment of high geopolitical risks and stakes. 

Later, the president spoke with executives of American energy companies.