Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that he will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly next week as Russia intensifies its attack on Kyiv. He urged Washington to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, Al Jazeera reported. “We now expect strong sanctions steps from the United States as well – Europe is doing its part,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy’s announcement coincides with fresh concerns across Europe’s eastern flank over the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Trump had already signalled last week that he was ready to introduce “major sanctions” on Moscow, but tied the move to NATO allies agreeing collectively to end oil purchases from Russia. Despite Trump’s attempts to push for a ceasefire, Moscow has so far evaded such pressure.
The Ukrainian leader is also expected to raise the issue of long-term security guarantees to shield his country from future Russian aggression after any truce. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has cautioned that he would not tolerate Western troops being stationed in Ukraine.
Al Jazeera reported that Moscow launched one of its largest overnight assaults in recent months, unleashing 40 missiles and around 580 drones, which killed at least three people and left dozens injured.
NATO allies have responded by boosting defences along Europe’s eastern borders. Poland’s military said on Saturday that Polish and allied jets were scrambled in a “preventative operation” after Russian strikes hit areas near the Polish frontier. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom confirmed its fighter aircraft carried out their first NATO mission under Eastern Sentry, patrolling Polish skies against possible Russian aerial threats.
Tensions also rose after three Russian fighter jets reportedly entered Estonian airspace on Friday. Russia’s Ministry of Defence denied the incident, but Estonian authorities said the 12-minute breach was verified through both radar and visual confirmation. Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of Estonia’s Military Intelligence Centre, said it still “needs to be confirmed” whether the violation was intentional.
(With ANI Inputs)
