Speaking ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders, Zelenskyy said the upcoming days would be a “week of diplomacy” for Ukraine, as the country seeks to shore up international alliances, secure military and economic aid, and rally support for its ongoing resistance against Russian aggression.

“This is not just diplomacy for diplomacy’s sake,” Zelenskyy said in a video statement. “It’s about real action, unity, and results. The world must stand with Ukraine.”

A High-Stakes Meeting Between Trump and Zelenskyy

The upcoming meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump is expected to draw significant attention, as it comes at a pivotal time for both leaders.

• For Zelenskyy, the stakes are high: international aid for Ukraine’s war effort has come under increasing scrutiny, especially from more isolationist elements within the U.S. political sphere.

While details of the agenda remain under wraps, sources close to both delegations say the two leaders are likely to discuss:

• Continued U.S. military support to Ukraine

• Peace negotiations and ceasefire prospects

• Post-war reconstruction and economic cooperation

• Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO and the EU

Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Blitz at the UN

Zelenskyy’s visit to New York is part of a broader diplomatic campaign, which includes nearly two dozen bilateral meetings, a speech before the UN General Assembly, and expected side talks with EU leaders, Latin American nations, and key players from Africa and Asia.

His goals include:

• Reinforcing global solidarity against Russian aggression

• Securing long-term security guarantees

• Promoting a Ukrainian-led peace framework

• Attracting support for post-war investment and reconstruction

Global Reactions and Expectations

While many Western nations continue to stand firmly with Ukraine, fatigue is growing in some regions of the world, particularly in the Global South, where leaders have called for more focus on humanitarian aid, diplomacy, and global economic equity.

Analysts say Zelenskyy’s strategy is to ensure Ukraine remains front and center on the world stage, even as other global crises  from inflation and climate change to tensions in the Indo-Pacific  dominate headlines.

“Zelenskyy knows the clock is ticking,” said a European diplomat. “The longer the war drags on, the harder it becomes to maintain unity and focus.”

“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” President Trump said during a post-summit statement, adding that further discussions would involve NATO and Kyiv. Notably, no questions were taken from the press after the joint news briefing.

Trump Shifts Focus to Zelensky

Speaking later, President Trump placed the responsibility for the next steps squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that plans are underway for a three-way meeting between himself, Zelensky, and Putin.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump stated. “They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess.”

Trump declined to share details on the remaining sticking points but emphasized his determination to push for peace.

“I want to make sure it gets done. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done,” he said.

Despite the lack of a formal agreement, Trump labeled the summit a success, rating it a “10 out of 10” in terms of personal rapport with Putin.

“In the sense that we got along great,” Trump noted.

International Pressure Builds

The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions, and triggered one of the largest military and humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II. The international community, especially NATO allies, has been closely watching Trump’s diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict.

Analysts say that while the Alaska summit stopped short of delivering a breakthrough, the proposed Zelensky–Putin meeting especially with Trump involved could set the stage for a new chapter in negotiations.