Trump pushes Ukraine for cease-fire as Russia intensifies civilian infrastructure attacks

Military and security analysts from the Royal United Services Institute and Chatham House argue that Russia’s recent wave of strikes on Ukrainian warehouses, retail chains and energy facilities is designed to paralyze supply lines, deepen the budget deficit and sow psychological terror, with the ultimate aim of forcing Ukraine’s surrender before winter. The strategy seeks to undermine the private sector that sustains the Ukrainian economy and to create a humanitarian emergency that would compel Kyiv to accept terms.

Concurrently, President Donald Trump, speaking at the UN General Assembly, publicly pressed Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate a cease-fire, claiming Vladimir Putin is prepared for immediate talks and suggesting that the United States would not impose new sanctions or guarantee continued military aid if Kyiv refuses a “constructive” dialogue. Zelenskyy proposed an “energy cease-fire” - halting Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries in return for Russia stopping strikes on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure - a proposal echoed by several European capitals.

Moscow rejected the idea, warning that a pause could allow Ukraine to regroup and that any negotiations would be tactical. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned the possibility of trilateral talks involving the United States in October, but dismissed the notion of a direct summit between leaders at the G20 in Miami, noting no current agreement forms a basis for further discussions.