Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to exert "strong political pressure" on Russia amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. His call for action came after a recent wave of Russian drone strikes targeted multiple Ukrainian cities, including Donetsk, Dnipro, Sumy, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Zelenskyy reported that at least three people were killed in Zaporizhzhia during these attacks.

In a social media post on Monday, Zelenskyy noted that Russia launched 141 drones into Ukraine, with 132 being intercepted or neutralized by Ukrainian air defenses. He emphasized the significance of the UNGA sessions, stating, "This is already the fourth time that Russia accompanies one of the highest annual global diplomatic events with killings. That is why it is so important for this diplomatic week to be productive. We must act so that killings and war do not become routine."

Zelenskyy specifically called for coordinated efforts from Europe, the United States, and the G7 and G20 nations to hold Russia accountable for its actions. He stated, "Strong sanctions, strong political pressure, Russia's accountability for the war -- all of this is necessary. All of this will happen."

Despite ongoing U.S.-led peace talks, a ceasefire in Ukraine remains elusive as Russian forces continue their offensive operations. Tensions have escalated following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month. Additionally, recent violations of NATO airspace by Russian aircraft in Poland, Romania, and Estonia have heightened concerns among Western nations.

In response to these developments, the United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting to address the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets on September 12. Trump, who is expected to meet with Zelenskyy during the UNGA, has expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace negotiations and Russia's ongoing military actions. He previously stated that Putin had "let me down" but has not yet implemented the additional sanctions he has threatened against Russia.

The White House recently imposed a 25% tariff on all Indian imports due to India's continued purchases of Russian oil and military supplies. Trump indicated he would refrain from further sanctions until European nations take similar actions against India and China.

Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandr Merezhko commented on the upcoming Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, saying it could be beneficial. "It's always good and gives a chance to make him more receptive to our needs," he noted, though he expressed skepticism about Trump's willingness to impose serious sanctions on Russia.

Kyiv is closely monitoring international support for a resolution backing Ukraine, which would reflect its standing in the global community, particularly among nations in the Global South. Meanwhile, Russian officials have shown no immediate interest in a ceasefire or a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, despite Trump's proposal following his summit with Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov remarked that Trump's frustrations with the negotiation pace stem from his desire for quick resolutions.