Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly as Russia intensifies missile and drone attacks, killing civilians and worsening the conflict.
A High-Stakes Meeting in New York
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly next week. The announcement comes as the Russia-Ukraine war escalates with one of the heaviest aerial assaults in months.
Speaking on Saturday, Zelenskyy said the agenda will include security guarantees for Ukraine and stronger sanctions on Russia. The meeting is expected to test Washington’s ability to maintain pressure on Moscow while keeping Kyiv confident of continued Western backing.
Russia Steps Up Attacks
Hours before the announcement, Ukraine endured a massive wave of Russian strikes. According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 40 missiles and around 580 drones in an overnight barrage, killing at least three people and wounding dozens.
In the central city of Dnipro, a missile carrying cluster munitions struck a residential apartment building, setting cars and homes ablaze. Images shared by Zelenskyy showed rescue workers pulling civilians from rubble as fire crews battled the aftermath.
In the wider Dnipropetrovsk region, at least one person was killed and 26 were injured, regional governor Sergiy Lysak confirmed.
Stalled Peace Efforts
The meeting with Trump comes amid growing frustration in Kyiv. Zelenskyy has repeatedly stressed that direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are essential for any durable peace. Yet Moscow has ruled out negotiations, insisting that Kyiv must first recognize Russian territorial gains.
“We are ready for a meeting with Putin, bilateral or trilateral. He is not ready,” Zelenskyy said, warning that the absence of talks or a ceasefire could trigger new sanctions.
Meanwhile, the US-led push for a quick settlement has lost momentum. Russia’s leadership has flatly rejected Western proposals for an international peace conference, while Putin has warned that any deployment of Western troops to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.”
Security Guarantees at the Forefront
For Ukraine, the discussions with Trump will focus on obtaining Western-backed security guarantees to shield the country from future aggression. Kyiv insists such commitments are vital, especially as Russian strikes increasingly target civilian areas.
Analysts believe that Zelenskyy’s direct engagement with Trump is also meant to underscore Kyiv’s alignment with Washington, even as cracks emerge within NATO and EU debates on military and financial support.
Global and Domestic Implications
The Zelenskyy-Trump meeting at the UN General Assembly could mark a turning point in US-Ukraine relations. While the Biden administration emphasized long-term strategic commitments, Trump has suggested pursuing faster negotiations with Moscow. The talks could clarify whether Washington intends to prioritize a ceasefire framework or continue with open-ended support.
Domestically, Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure. The latest attacks highlight the human cost of stalled diplomacy, reinforcing calls from Ukrainian citizens for stronger international protection.
As Russia intensifies its missile and drone war, Zelenskyy’s planned meeting with Trump at the United Nations carries symbolic and strategic weight. It signals Ukraine’s determination to secure concrete guarantees while sending a message to Moscow that Kyiv will not face the war alone.
Whether the meeting shifts the trajectory of the conflict—or simply underscores the stalemate—remains to be seen. But for Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher.
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