Zelenskyy to Push Trump on Sanctions at UN Assembly
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. The focus of the meeting will be to push Washington toward stronger sanctions on Russia.
Speaking on Saturday, Zelenskyy said, “We now expect strong sanctions steps from the United States as well – Europe is doing its part.” His remarks came after the European Union introduced its 19th package of sanctions against Moscow.
Trump recently signaled that he is ready to impose “major sanctions” on Russia. However, he stressed that such measures would require all NATO allies to agree on completely halting oil purchases from Moscow.
The planned Zelenskyy Trump UN sanctions on Russia meeting highlights Ukraine’s strategy to seek tougher action from the United States as Russia continues its large-scale attacks.
Escalation of Fighting and NATO Response
Over the weekend, Russia intensified its offensive. According to Ukrainian officials, Moscow launched 40 missiles and about 580 drones in one of the biggest overnight barrages of the war. The strikes killed at least three people and injured dozens in the Dnipro region.
At the same time, NATO allies increased military activity along Europe’s eastern flank. Poland’s army confirmed that Polish and allied aircraft carried out a “preventative operation” after Russian drone incursions near its border. The United Kingdom also deployed fighter jets to patrol Polish skies under NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission.
Tensions grew further after Estonia accused Russia of violating its airspace. Estonian officials reported that three Russian MiG-31 jets flew over the Gulf of Finland for 12 minutes. Colonel Ants Kiviselg of Estonia’s Military Intelligence Centre said the violation was confirmed by radar and visual contact. Russia’s defence ministry denied the incursion, claiming the aircraft stayed over neutral waters.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is expected to discuss long-term security guarantees for Ukraine during his meeting with Trump. He has argued that such guarantees are essential to prevent future Russian aggression. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that he would reject any arrangement involving Western troops in Ukraine.
Day by day, the Russia-Ukraine war is pushing NATO and the EU to act with greater urgency. The upcoming Zelenskyy Trump UN sanctions on Russia meeting could prove pivotal, as Ukraine seeks stronger support from Washington while Europe steps up pressure on Moscow.
