President Donald Trump is set to engage in a series of bilateral meetings and events with international leaders and political figures during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly this week. Nearly 130 heads of state are convening in New York as global order faces strain and the UN navigates criticism, including from Trump himself, who has previously expressed skepticism about the organization and reduced U.S. funding for its agencies.
Trump is expected to arrive in New York on Monday afternoon for events at Trump Tower, followed by an address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday morning. According to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, the president will use his address to highlight his administration's approach to global challenges and emphasize the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran Conflict and Regional Diplomacy
The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, now in its seventh month, is expected to loom over Trump's discussions. The conflict carries the risk of further escalation, particularly with Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen targeting Saudi Arabia and threatening critical shipping routes. Trump is scheduled to participate in a meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, followed by a reception where he is anticipated to hold his first in-person meeting with Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's interim president.
Meetings with Domestic and International Leaders
In addition to international diplomacy, Trump is scheduled to meet with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday at Gracie Mansion. The mayor's office stated the meeting will focus on issues pertinent to New York City. This meeting follows previous encounters between the two politicians, described as friendly and productive.
A meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also on the agenda, potentially on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Zelenskiy confirmed on social media that he and Trump had agreed to meet. The White House has not yet commented on this specific meeting.
Further bilateral discussions are planned for Tuesday with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marking the first in-person meeting between Trump and Burnham. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi is also slated to meet with Trump during the UN gathering.