Zelensky landed in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly with a schedule of about 20 meetings, including a Tuesday sit-down with President Trump. The encounter follows a Sunday phone call where Trump urged the Ukrainian leader to halt drone and missile strikes on Russian oil refineries to resolve a global fuel shortage. US diesel prices hit a record average of $6.51 per gallon, representing a 76% increase from one year ago.

Kyiv will consider halting refinery strikes if Russia ceases targeting Ukrainian energy, food, and civilian infrastructure, Zelensky said. The Ukrainian president is also preparing to sign a new drone agreement and secure air defense financing during the summit. He met with CIA Director John Radcliffe at Shannon Airport in Ireland while en route to New York to discuss security and de-escalation proposals.