Zelensky holds nearly 20 UN meetings, tensions with von der Leyen over EU sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held nearly twenty bilateral meetings at the UN headquarters in New York, including a tense discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and talks with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, focusing on security, winter preparation, and diplomatic efforts to end the war. Zelensky reported a positive meeting with US President Donald Trump, discussing de-escalation steps and joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles in Ukraine. He also met with IMF head Kristalina Georgieva regarding financial stability, Chilean President José Antonio Kast on Latin American presence, and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi on continued support and sanctions against Russia. The meeting with von der Leyen was strained over EU plans to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, which Ukraine opposes. Brussels also pushed back on Kyiv's request for accelerated funding from a 90 billion euro loan, citing a 26 billion euro budget gap, recommending Ukraine seek additional funds from Canada, Norway, and Japan.