Written by Elaine Monaghan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in the United States on Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly and urged his colleagues to help achieve a “joint victory for a truly just peace.”
“This fall will determine the future of this fight,” he said on the X channel alongside his late-night video address, delivered on his plane.
Zelenskiy made a surprise stop in President Joe Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania to visit a weapons factory that he said includes the production of critical 155-millimeter shells to aid the war in Ukraine.
“It's in places like this that you can really feel that a democratic country can win,” Zelenskiy said on the X website, alongside photos of himself thanking plant workers.
The Ukrainian leader's concern about the shortage of these weapons has become more urgent as Russia clamps down on Ukraine's electricity supply ahead of the harsh winter months.
In his video speech, Zelenskiy said that Ukraine is doing everything it can, by getting weapons and negotiating, “to mobilize the support of our allies and force Russia to be peaceful.”
Zelenskiy is headed to New York, where he is expected to meet with heads of American companies to discuss his country's energy needs as well as with leaders of states and international organizations.
Zelenskiy's visit coincides with US efforts to prepare a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine, breaking a months-long trend of smaller packages for Kyiv's military operations.
Zelenskiy said he would present a “plan for victory” in the Ukraine-Russia conflict first to Biden. He is also expected to discuss this plan with Vice President Kamala Harris in a separate meeting on Thursday, along with other world leaders.
Zelenskiy hopes to meet again with Republican President Donald Trump, who has called US aid to its eastern European ally a waste of money and has refused to say he wants Ukraine to win. Trump has said he will probably meet with Zelenskiy this week, but no date has been announced.
Trump faces Harris in the November 5 US election.
Two US officials told Reuters on Friday that the aid package, which is expected to be announced this week, includes patrol boats, additional ammunition for advanced rockets (HIMARS), 155- and 105-millimeter, spare parts and other weapons. .
Officials said the contents and size of the package could change in the coming days before Biden's expected signing.
Ukrinform said Zelenskiy will address the UN conference on Monday, participate in Security Council meetings in Ukraine on Tuesday, and speak during the General Assembly on Wednesday.
