Trump repeatedly asked Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, Axios reports

According to the source, Trump raised concerns that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries were driving up global diesel prices.

"The word diesel came up many times during the call," the source told Axios.

Zelenskyy publicly said after the call that he and Trump had agreed to meet in New York and discussed diplomatic efforts to end the war, possible steps toward de-escalation, and energy and food security. He did not mention Trump's reported request concerning Russian refineries.

Axios reported that the meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Rustem Umerov, Zelenskyy's chief negotiator and head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, told Axios that he had been working with White House envoys in recent days to organize the meeting.

Umerov also said progress had been made in negotiations aimed at ending the war.

"In particular, the number of stumbling blocks reduced from dozens to essentially one or two key issues that remain subject to negotiations," he said.

"The trend is positive. The U.S. is super focused on the issue of stopping the war in Ukraine," Umerov added.

Trump has previously publicly linked Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure to rising diesel prices. Other members of his administration, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have also cited damage to Russian energy infrastructure as a factor affecting global fuel markets.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities with long-range strikes, seeking to disrupt infrastructure that generates revenue and supplies fuel for Russia's war effort.