Zelenskyy to Meet Trump at UN Assembly, Urges Tougher U.S. Sanctions on Russia:

New York City – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week, amid escalating Russian attacks and growing international concerns about the war in Ukraine spilling into neighboring NATO countries. Speaking on Saturday, Zelenskyy announced his upcoming meeting with Trump, emphasizing the urgent need for the United States to strengthen its sanctions against Russia. The announcement came as Moscow launched one of its largest overnight aerial offensives in months, firing 40 missiles and deploying approximately 580 drones across Ukraine. At least three civilians were reported killed, and dozens injured in the strikes. Call for U.S. Action After EU’s 19th Sanctions Package Zelenskyy’s statement follows the European Union’s introduction of its 19th sanctions package against Russia on Friday. The Ukrainian leader praised the EU’s efforts but said more pressure is needed from Washington. “We now expect strong sanctions steps from the United States as well – Europe is doing its part,” Zelenskyy posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. The Ukrainian president is expected to press Trump for a firmer U.S. stance on Moscow, particularly in light of recent security threats affecting NATO allies. Trump, who has remained an influential figure in Republican foreign policy circles, said last week that he would support imposing “major sanctions” on Russia — but only if all NATO members commit to halting oil imports from the Kremlin. Russia’s Growing Military Aggression Alarms NATO The backdrop of Zelenskyy's visit is Russia’s increasingly aggressive behavior along NATO’s eastern borders. In recent weeks, Russian drones have violated the airspace of Poland and Romania — both NATO members — prompting urgent defensive measures by the alliance. Tensions further escalated on Friday when three Russian fighter jets were reported to have entered Estonian airspace. Estonia’s military confirmed a 12-minute violation based on radar tracking and visual identification. Russia’s Ministry of Defence denied the incident, but Estonian officials say there is “no doubt” the breach occurred. Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of Estonia’s Military Intelligence Centre, said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the incursion was intentional. In response, NATO forces ramped up air patrols. The United Kingdom confirmed that Royal Air Force jets conducted their first NATO air defense sortie over Polish airspace on Saturday, as part of the alliance's "Eastern Sentry" mission. Poland’s military also announced a "preventative operation" to secure its airspace after Russian missiles targeted western Ukraine, close to the Polish border. Zelenskyy to Push for Security Guarantees Beyond sanctions, Zelenskyy is expected to raise the issue of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine during his conversation with Trump. With no definitive end in sight for the war, Kyiv is seeking firm commitments from Western allies to prevent future Russian aggression once a truce or ceasefire is reached. However, any Western presence in post-war Ukraine remains a red line for the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned against the deployment of NATO or Western military personnel on Ukrainian soil, suggesting it would be viewed as a direct threat to Russia. Global Stakes at UN General Assembly As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, Ukraine remains at the center of global diplomatic discussions. The outcome of Zelenskyy's talks with Trump — and potential follow-up engagements with other key U.S. officials — could shape the next phase of international support for Ukraine. With winter approaching and Russia ramping up its aerial campaign, Kyiv is urgently seeking stronger international backing to protect its infrastructure and civilian population. Whether Zelenskyy’s appeal will lead to new U.S. sanctions — or shift Trump’s position — remains to be seen.

NEWS