Zelensky meets Trump; EU extends Russia sanctions but drops Usmanov and Fridman
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in New York to discuss diplomatic paths to end the war, winter preparations, and defense cooperation. Ukraine proposed halting mutual strikes on energy infrastructure, which the US agreed to relay to Russia. EU ambassadors extended sanctions over Russia's violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity to three years, but removed businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Ukraine's Foreign Minister called the decision shameful, urging member states to impose national restrictions; Latvia has already done so. Ukrainian forces struck two Russian oil refineries in Ufa and Samara on September 21-22, causing fires. France announced new air defense support for Ukraine, while Russia attacked a Naftogaz facility in Poltava region with ballistic missiles.