Zelenskyy to Urge UN Support for Ukraine Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push

NEW YORK — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly as the war with Russia remains a central issue during the second day of the high-level debate in New York.

Zelenskyy’s appearance comes hours after Russian strikes targeted Kyiv, with Ukrainian authorities reporting casualties and disruption in the capital. The Ukrainian president is expected to use his address to outline Ukraine’s position on the conflict and seek continued international support.

The developments follow a meeting between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Zelenskyy said the two leaders discussed efforts to end the war and possible measures to reduce hostilities and create conditions for diplomacy.

Following the meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to consider an energy ceasefire if Russia agreed to halt attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He also said Kyiv was ready for discussions aimed at advancing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Zelenskyy also raised Ukraine’s need for additional air-defence capabilities ahead of winter. He said discussions with Trump included the possible provision of additional Patriot missile interceptors and cooperation on future production capabilities.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly and is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks are expected to include US-Russia relations and the war in Ukraine, although there was no immediate confirmation that Ukraine’s proposed energy ceasefire would be directly discussed.

The wider UN gathering is also taking place against a backdrop of heightened international tensions, with conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and other regions dominating discussions among world leaders.

US-China relations are another major focus of the week. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the United States for talks with Trump, with trade, technology and artificial intelligence expected to feature prominently in discussions.

The UN General Assembly’s second day is therefore bringing together diplomatic efforts on several major international crises, while Ukraine continues to press for international backing and a pathway toward ending the war.