Zelensky to Meet Trump as Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. The announcement comes as Russia intensifies its military campaign against Ukraine, launching one of its largest aerial attacks in recent months, with dozens killed and wounded in overnight strikes.

Diplomatic Stakes at the UN General Assembly

Zelensky stated that the meeting with Trump will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and potential sanctions against Russia. He emphasized the importance of Western-backed assurances to prevent future Russian aggression, noting that Europe and the United States must play a leading role in any security arrangement. The Ukrainian leader also expressed hope that the talks would clarify the extent of international support for Ukraine, especially as peace negotiations with Russia remain stalled.

The General Assembly is expected to bring together leaders from nearly 150 countries between September 23 and 29. Zelensky will head the Ukrainian delegation, which will also engage in discussions on business, technology, defense, and humanitarian issues, including a likely meeting between the first ladies of Ukraine and the United States to address the plight of children affected by the war.

Russian Escalation and Regional Tensions

As Zelensky prepares for high-level diplomatic talks, Russia has ramped up its military operations, firing 40 missiles and approximately 580 drones at Ukrainian targets in a single night. The barrage killed at least three people and wounded dozens, with a missile carrying cluster munitions striking an apartment building in Dnipro. Regional officials reported additional casualties and significant damage, while Ukrainian forces responded with strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

The escalation has heightened tensions across Eastern Europe, with recent violations of Estonian airspace by Russian jets and complaints from Poland about Russian drones crossing its borders. These incidents have fueled Western fears of broader regional destabilization and prompted renewed calls from Kyiv for joint international efforts to counter Russian aerial threats.

Stalled Peace Talks and Hardline Demands

Efforts to broker a peace deal have faltered, with Russia maintaining hardline demands, including the full cession of the eastern Donbas region by Ukraine. Kyiv has rejected territorial concessions and continues to advocate for the deployment of European peacekeeping troops, a proposal Moscow deems unacceptable. Three rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul have yielded little progress beyond prisoner exchanges.

Zelensky reiterated his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, either bilaterally or trilaterally, but said that Moscow remains unprepared for substantive talks. As the conflict grinds on, Ukraine is looking to its Western partners for stronger security commitments and increased diplomatic pressure on Russia.