Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, September 4, hoping to secure stronger sanctions against Russia as the war drags into its fourth year.
Speaking during a visit to Copenhagen on Wednesday, Zelensky said the discussion would focus on tightening economic pressure on Moscow and reinforcing security guarantees for Ukraine.
“Tomorrow we will try to connect with President Trump, and we’ll speak about it,” he told reporters.
He added that signals from Washington suggested the U.S. was ready to act as a backstop, calling the assurance “very important.”
Zelensky emphasized that a “solid basis” now exists for international security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
He highlighted ongoing bilateral agreements, including one recently signed with Denmark.
“We share the view that Ukraine’s future security needs Article 5,” he said, referencing NATO’s mutual defence clause. Under Article 5, an attack on one NATO member is treated as an attack on all.
While Ukraine is not a NATO member, Kyiv insists that similar protections are vital if membership remains off the table.
Zelensky’s trip to Denmark focused on building stronger support among Nordic-Baltic states.
According to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s office, discussions centered on how the region could “ensure further support for Ukraine on the frontline and in the negotiating room.”
On Thursday, Zelensky will head to Paris to meet with European leaders.
The agenda will include proposals for a peacekeeping force and broader guarantees to shield Ukraine from further Russian aggression if a peace agreement is eventually reached.
Kyiv has long called for NATO-style defence commitments, but Russian President Vladimir Putin remains firmly opposed to Ukraine’s membership in the alliance.
The Kremlin continues to demand recognition of territories it has annexed, a condition Ukraine and its allies have repeatedly rejected.
With peace talks stalled and fighting intensifying, Zelensky is banking on U.S. leadership and European unity to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating hand.
His push for harsher sanctions comes as Russia escalates drone and missile strikes, killing civilians and devastating critical infrastructure.
Trump, who met both Putin and Zelensky last month, has tried to position himself as a potential broker of peace.
However, his willingness to impose additional sanctions on Russia remains unclear.
Zelensky’s direct engagement reflects Kyiv’s determination to keep pressure on Moscow while rallying international support.
As the war nears its fourth year, Ukraine continues to fight on the battlefield while pushing for guarantees that will ensure its survival in the long run.
Thursday’s talks with Trump could determine whether Washington is ready to escalate economic punishment against Russia or pursue another diplomatic path.