WASHINGTON - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the United States on Sept 22 to attend sessions at the United Nations General Assembly and urged his partners to help achieve "a shared victory for a truly just peace".
"This fall will determine the future of this war," he said in a post on X alongside his nightly video address, delivered from a plane he said was en route to Pennsylvania. Ukrainian media later reported he had arrived in New York. He is also due to visit Washington later in the week.
Zelensky did not say what his plans were in Pennsylvania, but the state is home to a munitions plant in US President Joe Biden's hometown of Scranton that is a key producer of crucial 155-mm artillery shells.
The Ukrainian leader's concerns about a shortage of such munitions have taken on added urgency as Russia pummels Ukraine's energy grid ahead of the critical winter months.
In his video, Zelensky said Ukraine was doing everything it could, by acquiring weapons and through diplomacy "to consolidate our partners' support and force Russia into peace".
The Ukrinform state news agency reported separately that he had arrived in New York and that he would meet heads of US companies to discuss his country's energy needs as well as leaders of states and international organisations later on Sept 22.
His visit coincides with US efforts to prepare a US$375 million (S$484 million) military aid package for Ukraine, breaking a months-long trend toward smaller packages for Kyiv's military operations.
Zelensky said he would present a "victory plan" in Ukraine's war against Russia first to Biden. He is also expected to discuss the plan with US Vice-President Kamala Harris in a separate meeting on Sept 26, as well as with other world leaders.
Zelensky also hopes to meet Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has called US aid to its eastern European ally a waste of money and has declined to say he wants Ukraine to win. Trump has said he will probably meet Zelensky this week but no date has been announced.
Trump faces Harris in the Nov 5 US presidential election.
Two American officials told Reuters on Sept 20 that an aid package, expected to be announced this week, includes patrol boats, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, 155- and 105-mm artillery ammunition, spare parts and other weapons.
The officials said the contents and size of the package could change in the coming days ahead of Biden's expected signature.
Ukrinform said Zelensky would speak at a UN summit on Sept 23, participate in Security Council meetings on Ukraine the next day, and speak during the General Assembly on Sept 25.
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