Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday that his team is seeking urgent meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders next week to address the sluggish progress in peace negotiations aimed at ending the three-year war with Russia. The call for talks comes amid frustration over Russia’s apparent lack of commitment to diplomacy, as it continues to launch devastating attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas.

Zelenskyy’s push for renewed dialogue follows a deadly Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv from Wednesday to Thursday, which killed at least 23 people, including four children, and wounded over 50. The Kyiv region observed a day of mourning on Friday, with flags at half-staff and entertainment events canceled. Rescue efforts continue, with eight people still unaccounted for, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

In New York, Zelenskyy’s chief adviser, Andriy Yermak, met with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to prepare for the upcoming discussions. Yermak emphasized the need for “real diplomacy” to implement agreements reached at a prior Washington summit, accusing Russia of stalling peace efforts while escalating hostilities. “Russia is failing to fulfill anything necessary to end the war,” Yermak posted on X, underscoring Ukraine’s support for Trump’s resolve to achieve lasting peace.

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Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s insistence on preliminary “expert-level” talks before a leaders’ summit, calling it an “artificial” delay tactic. “Leaders must urgently be involved to reach agreements,” he told reporters in Kyiv, dismissing Moscow’s approach as insincere. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to meeting Zelenskyy, but only after significant preparatory work, a stance Zelenskyy views as obstructive.

The Ukrainian president also called for swift secondary sanctions on nations supporting Russia’s war economy and stressed the need for robust postwar security guarantees. These, he argued, must include a steady supply of advanced weapons, either through Ukrainian production or Western support, with Europe potentially funding U.S. arms for Ukraine. This follows Trump’s recent frustration with Putin’s reluctance to engage in direct talks, with the U.S. president warning of possible sanctions if Russia does not move toward peace.

At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on Friday, U.S. representative John Kelley condemned Russia’s recent strikes, stating they “cast doubt on the seriousness of Russia’s desire for peace.” He echoed Trump’s call for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, warning of consequences if Russia persists in its aggression.

Zelenskyy noted ongoing Ukrainian diplomatic efforts in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Switzerland, and the U.S., with Ukraine accepting a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and direct talks. However, Moscow’s objections continue to hinder progress. The war is expected to dominate discussions at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly from September 22 to 29, with Putin attending a separate meeting in China alongside Iran and North Korea, nations accused of aiding Russia’s war effort.

As Ukraine grapples with the human toll of Russia’s attacks, Zelenskyy’s call for urgent high-level talks reflects a critical push to break the deadlock. The Atlantic Council warned that Putin doubts the U.S. has the resolve to counter his gains, highlighting the stakes for Ukraine and its allies in securing a lasting peace.

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