Trump, Zelenskyy Steer UN General Assembly Agenda Amid Ukraine War, Gaza Diplomacy; Global Protests Erupt
Trump, Zelenskyy Steer UN General Assembly Agenda Amid Ukraine War, Gaza Diplomacy; Global Protests Erupt

The 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City has been dominated by urgent discussions on global conflicts, with former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy taking center stage. Their engagements and statements have shaped a day marked by intense diplomatic activity and widespread public demonstrations.
On Tuesday, September 23, Donald Trump asserted that Ukraine possesses the capability to reclaim all territories lost since the 2022 Russian invasion, a sentiment he reiterated in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump, who held bilateral meetings with Zelenskyy and Macron, also engaged with leaders from Arab and Muslim countries, declaring his intent to “end the war in Gaza” and secure the release of hostages. His diplomatic efforts come as France, alongside other European nations, formally recognized Palestinian statehood—a move Trump has criticized as a “reward to Hamas.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing the UN Security Council, accused Russia of “doing everything” to prolong the conflict and highlighted Moscow’s reliance on China. Speaking on Fox News, Zelenskyy expressed an improved relationship with Trump and conveyed his belief that the former U.S. president could play a crucial role in ending the war without requiring territorial concessions from Ukraine.
In contrast to Trump’s nationalistic stance, President Emmanuel Macron of France urged global cooperation at the UNGA, advocating against a world where “might is right” prevails. Macron’s speech, delivered hours after Trump criticized the UN’s effectiveness and dismissed climate change as a “green scam,” emphasized the need to restore international collaboration in the face of escalating global challenges.
The diplomatic proceedings were paralleled by significant protests across New York City, with demonstrators gathering near the UN headquarters to advocate for causes ranging from ending the war in Gaza to opposing Donald Trump’s presidency and raising awareness about the crisis in Sudan. These protests underscore the intense public interest and diverse viewpoints surrounding the issues debated by world leaders.
Other notable developments from Tuesday include the North Carolina legislature’s approval of “Iryna’s Law,” a criminal justice bill named after a Ukrainian refugee, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to dissolve a Pentagon advisory committee dedicated to women in the military, citing its “divisive feminist agenda.” Meanwhile, hundreds of federal employees, previously laid off by the General Services Administration in a move spearheaded by Elon Musk, have been asked to return to work by October 6.
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