Kyiv, 25 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he urged U.S. President Donald Trump to ask Chinese President Xi Jinping to use Beijing’s influence over Moscow to support diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy, who met Trump during his visit to the United States alongside the U.N. General Assembly, said he was awaiting details of Trump’s discussions with Xi. He also said Washington was seeking initial technical talks involving U.S., Ukrainian and Russian delegations, with the United Arab Emirates suggested as a possible venue. Zelenskyy said he thanked U.S. lawmakers for bipartisan support for a sanctions bill targeting Russia and expressed hope that Trump would implement the measures. He also said Trump had confirmed a decision allowing Ukraine to obtain licenses to produce Patriot air defence systems. Zelenskyy further said Ukraine and several countries were seeking uninterrupted commercial shipping through the Black Sea and called for a ceasefire arrangement to facilitate the movement of food exports. He added that Ukraine had discussed financial support with the International Monetary Fund and European Commission amid continued wartime economic pressures. Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian officials reported casualties following overnight and daytime attacks, with Zelenskyy saying eight Ukrainian regions came under attack.