Among the planes of the President of Ukraine are almost twenty meetings in New York, and Ukraine’s delegation also has its own agenda. The main topic of the Summit of Heads of State and Government is the discussion about Palestine and Israel, amid recognition of Palestine. Nevertheless, Ukraine has been actively trying to keep attention on the war with Russia and to explain its own perspective on peace talks.
Zelenskyy–Trump meeting
The key event on the evening of 22 September was the meeting between the American and Ukrainian presidents, as it is always unpredictable in tone. This time, everything went calmly. Even President Zelenskyy admitted he was surprised when Donald Trump stated that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, could regain its territory within its original borders. On Truth Social, Trump also described Russia as a “paper tiger” and concluded that its economy was in deep trouble.
However, to achieve territorial restoration, Ukraine needs real support: both in sanctions and in military assistance. The EU traditionally looks to the U.S. before taking decisive steps toward Russia. For example, regarding the possibility of shooting down Russian jets over NATO territory, Trump said he would support such a decision but stressed that it “depends on the circumstances.” On the same day, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made a similar comment in Brussels: each target would be evaluated individually.
Trump also recalled that new, tougher U.S. sanctions on Russian energy will be imposed only if all NATO and European countries stop buying Russian oil. He promised to talk to Viktor Orbán, who has so far refused to stop importing Russian energy resources. So far, Orbán has not listed to Trump despite their close relationships.
Diplomacy in New York
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a series of meetings. With U.S. Special Representative General Keith Kellogg he discussed agreements on weapons and drones. With IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva he addressed defence spending. At the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, Zelenskyy met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to discuss the harmful use of the Russian Church for propaganda purposes. The president also held his first meeting with the Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein as well as had a conversation with President of Switzerland Karin Keller-Sutter.
With the President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s priorities, especially the issue of abducted children. Also, he gave a speech at the UN Security Council High-Level Meeting on Ukraine, emphasizing that with each meeting Putin tries to win the time. As known, UN and all connected structures are paralysed, when it comes to decisions about Ukraine because of Russian right for a veto on everything.
The meeting of the Ukrainian and U.S. first ladies was also announced. Olena Zelenska had written a letter to her counterpart Melania Trump after she passed a message about children to Putin. Zelenska has also invited her to the First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit. Melania Trump was unavailable, and an adviser to the former first lady downplayed the significance of the upcoming greeting with Zelenska in New York, saying it would be limited to a polite exchange.
Conclusion
The rhetoric voiced at the UN Summit is promising for Ukraine — but only if it turns into action. Trump’s remark that Ukraine, with EU support, can restore its borders was unprecedented and disappointing for Russian propagandists, who have long heard only talk of “territory-for-peace” deals from U.S. officials. Yet no decisive new commitments on sanctions or weapons were announced. The challenge for Ukraine now is to turn these encouraging words into tangible measures: coordinated military aid, tougher and enforced sanctions, and real pressure on EU and NATO partners to stop financing Russia’s war machine, as well as respond more decisively to the aggressor’s provocations. Without such follow-through, even the most favourable rhetoric risks becoming another missed opportunity on the long road to restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
