On 24 September 2026, the Czech outlet published an article accusing Ukraine of obstructing a peace settlement while waiting for political changes in the United States.
Commenting on the 22 September meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, the outlet alleged that Zelenskyy’s main aim was to prevent Trump from gaining political benefit from the Ukraine issue before November’s congressional elections.
“The futility of Donald Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy was evident from the logic of geopolitical developments and from the differing interests pursued by both sides,” the publication wrote. It said Washington wanted “victorious results” from the meeting, while Zelenskyy allegedly wanted to issue an ultimatum and wait for Democrats to come to power.
Meeting agenda and diplomatic contacts
Trump and Zelenskyy met on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly after Washington renewed diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. On 5 September, US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and later met the Ukrainian side in Kyiv.
On 20 September, Zelenskyy said that the peace process was Ukraine’s priority and that Ukrainian and US teams were working on de-escalation measures concerning energy and food security. During the 22 September meeting, the presidents discussed a possible energy truce, winter support for Ukraine, strengthened air defence and the prospect of further talks with Russia.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for an energy truce if Russia reciprocated, and was also prepared to consider a maritime truce in the Black Sea. Kyiv said it was preparing to resume trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
Responses to the allegation
The source material disputes the claim that Ukraine is deliberately blocking de-escalation or waiting for a change of government in Washington. It points to Kyiv’s stated willingness to pursue talks and specific ceasefire measures under the current US administration.
It also says that the New York meeting produced discussions on stopping attacks against energy infrastructure, winter assistance and stronger air defence, including the production of Patriot interceptor missiles. According to the account, American and Ukrainian teams agreed to continue work on diplomatic proposals.
The source further notes that the Kremlin said on 23 September that there were currently no conditions for moving to a full peace negotiation track, although Moscow formally continues to declare that it is open to talks. It presents the continuing disagreement over territory and Ukraine’s future status as a central obstacle.
Ukraine has also maintained contacts with both major US political camps. On 22 September, Zelenskyy met a bipartisan delegation of US senators in New York to discuss stronger sanctions against Russia and Ukraine’s need for ballistic-missile defence. On 16 September, the US House of Representatives passed the Graham-Blumenthal bill on stronger sanctions against Russia and Iran, and Trump signed it on 18 September after it received support from both chambers of Congress.
The source material therefore concludes that the results of the November congressional elections would not necessarily determine US policy towards the war. It argues that current sanctions and diplomatic efforts could continue regardless of the electoral cycle, while the allegation that Kyiv is waiting for Democrats to take power remains an unverified political claim by .
