Zelensky says he discussed peace efforts, energy ceasefire with Trump

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he discussed an energy ceasefire and ⁠how to end the war with Russia during his meeting with Donald ⁠Trump.

Talking to ​the ⁠media after a 40-minute meeting with Trump and ⁠his team, Zelensky said ​that ⁠Kyiv was ‌ready for any format of the energy ceasefire with ‌Russia, but there had ‌been no discussion of Ukraine unilaterally halting its attacks ⁠on Russian refineries.

Zelensky reiterated that he was ready to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin at a trilateral meeting with Trump, adding that he hoped ‌that the US would ​find a way ‌to bring Moscow ⁠to any kind of ⁠negotiations.

Dan Haygarth22 September 2026 21:40

Trump says he would get Ukraine war 'done'

Donald Trump has told world leaders as he said he would get the Ukraine war “done”, claiming both sides “have had it”.

In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on the Ukraine war, Mr Trump said: “We’re working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, and we will get that one done.

“It’s going to happen, I think, more quickly than people understand.

“They’ve had it – 25,000 young people, mostly soldiers, a month are dying, 25,000 a month.

“And I look at those battlefield pictures, and I really don’t want to see them any more. It’s so horrible to see – 25,000 a month, both sides.”

Dan Haygarth22 September 2026 21:23

Greenland deal protects Europe, says Trump as he hails ‘bond’ after tensions

A deal between the US and Denmark over Greenland will make Europe safer, Donald Trump has told world leaders as he said he would get the Ukraine war “done”, claiming both sides “have had it”.

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the US president also said Iran faced a choice of reaching an agreement to end the Middle East conflict or face annihilation, as he would “drive them into hell with no chance of survival”.

However, Mr Trump claimed Tehran would not make a pact until after US mid-term elections in November in an apparent attempt to appease domestic voters angered at the higher costs fuelled by the conflict.

He also again levelled the charge that Iran had developed a missile “capable of hitting Europe” as he sought to justify his military intervention.

Washington announced last week that a deal had been reached with fellow Nato member Denmark over Greenland, which had been the focus of a fractious diplomatic standoff after the president made repeated threats to annex the semi-autonomous Arctic territory.

At the UN, Mr Trump hailed it as an “unprecedented agreement regarding the northern frontier of North America”.

Dan Haygarth22 September 2026 21:20

Watch: The woman ridding Ukraine of Russian mines

Ukraine has been littered with mines since Putin invaded the country in 2022, posing a devastating risk to civilians.

Antonina Kulhava, a humanitarian deminer, tells Maira Butt how she is trying to make her country safer:

James Reynolds22 September 2026 21:00

The Independent View: Our people-pleasing PM faces his ultimate challenge in Donald Trump

Editorial: Andy Burnham came to power saying all the right things – now, when he and the US president meet for the first time at the United Nations in New York, he would do well to show due deference and exploit the one area where they both agree: keeping Britain and America ahead in artificial intelligence:

James Reynolds22 September 2026 20:00

UK supporting Saudi Arabia could help keep fuel prices down, minister claims

Providing British military support to Saudi Arabia should help contain additional surges in fuel costs, according to a defence minister.

Luke Pollard explained that sending an RAF refuelling plane to the region was intended to stop "further escalation" within the Red Sea, a crucial corridor for oil shipments currently targeted by Yemeni Houthis backed by Iran.

In remarks to the BBC, Mr Pollard stated that while the government has moved to reduce living costs, "ultimately" only stability across Ukraine and the Middle East will lower fuel prices.

He said: “We’re working with our friends to try and deliver that de-escalation, and part of the reason why we deployed the RAF Voyager to Saudi Arabia, for instance, is to ensure there’s not further escalation in the Red Sea, which could further risk our fuel prices.”

James Reynolds22 September 2026 19:00

Messy, troubled, unpredictable: Diplomats describe a world in turmoil as UN opens annual meeting

There is not much that diplomats can agree on these days. But if asked about the state of the world ahead of the annual meeting at the U.N. General Assembly, heads of state and government and ministers alike will describe a globe in massive turmoil.

With two escalating wars raging in Europe and the Middle East, a global economy in flux, and a shifting world order, international leaders are arriving in New York on Tuesday to an outlook that is massively different from this time last year.

“World leaders will be gathering at the United Nations in an era of deep uncertainty,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters recently. “At the same time, power is shifting. The world is changing. And our institutions must change with it.”

James Reynolds22 September 2026 18:00

Historic first or symbolic gesture? What Canada’s associate membership with the European Union could look like

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member, just as relations between Ottawa and its historic ally in Washington deteriorate.

Canadian premier Mark Carney said he was seeking a “unique” arrangement with the bloc, as he pushes for new alliances in the wake of repeated threats from US president Donald Trump against Canada’s sovereignty.

However there is currently no such status as “associate member” set out in the EU’s treaties, and such an alliance would force a significant shift in EU policy. It could also create new questions for the future of ties with the United Kingdom and Australia.

Here’s what it could mean:

James Reynolds22 September 2026 17:00

Pictured: Ukraine hits Russian oil refineries in Ufa and Samara

Ukraine's military has struck Russian oil refineries in the cities of Ufa and Samara, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Tuesday.

The attacks, carried out on Monday and overnight, caused fires at both sites, the General Staff said on the Telegram messaging app.

James Reynolds22 September 2026 16:20

What did Trump say about Ukraine and Russia at the UN general assembly?

In a much shorter speech than last year, Trump made little mention of Russia and Ukraine.

He said he believed that conflict would be over sooner than people expect.

He also indicated they’ve “had it”, pointing to the huge casualty figures.

Trump is still expected to meet Volodymyr Zelensky today, pushing for a ceasefire around striking energy infrastructure.

James Reynolds22 September 2026 16:08