Zelensky asks Trump to press Xi on influencing Putin to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked US President Donald Trump to urge Chinese leader Xi Jinping to influence Russian President Vladimir Putin toward ending the war or at least de-escalating it. Zelensky made the request during a briefing in New York, asking Trump to raise the issue with Xi during his visit to the United States. Zelensky said he asked Trump to speak frankly with Xi and request China's leader to pressure Putin into ending the war or taking de-escalation steps, particularly regarding energy and grain. He suggested such agreements could test whether Russia is genuinely ready to move toward ending the conflict, and Trump promised to convey the message to Xi. Xi Jinping is visiting the United States from September 23-25 at Trump's invitation, marking his first state visit in over 10 years. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on September ​​23 that achieving an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is a difficult task, but Washington will attempt to do so.