Welcome to our live coverage from the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders gather to address pressing global issues.
A highlight of today’s events is the address by President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who is expected to call for increased military aid. His speech comes just a day after a surprising shift in stance from President Trump, who signaled renewed backing for Kyiv in its conflict with Russia. Tensions between Europe and Russia have escalated significantly in recent weeks, more than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Also drawing considerable attention are the appearances by President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran and the new Syrian President, Ahmed al-Shara. Pezeshkian’s address follows a tense 12-day war with Israel that included a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. He is anticipated to present Iran as a victim of military aggression, while simultaneously attempting to avert severe new U.N. sanctions over its nuclear program. Ahmed al-Shara, making his global stage debut as Syria’s first leader to address the Assembly since 1967, is expected to outline his country’s domestic and foreign policies, including its relationship with Israel and the West.
Beyond these immediate geopolitical flashpoints, two other critical topics are dominating discussions: artificial intelligence and climate change. The Security Council is convening to debate the potential threats AI poses to global peace and stability, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is hosting a dedicated climate summit, urging member states to present ambitious new national plans ahead of the COP30 conference in Brazil this November.
Further Key Updates:
- Ukraine Conflict: President Zelensky’s address to the U.N. follows President Trump’s unexpected declaration of support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim all lost territory. This marks a notable change in Trump’s previously expressed views on the conflict. The speech occurs amidst heightened tensions, as Russian fighter jets and drones have recently breached the airspace of NATO members Romania, Poland, and Estonia.
- Iranian Nuclear Deal: President Pezeshkian faces a critical diplomatic juncture. Iran could see the U.N. reimpose sanctions this week if nuclear negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany fail to achieve a breakthrough.
- Syrian Future: President al-Shara is expected to detail his government’s approach to sectarian violence within Syria and its foreign policy stance on Israel and Western nations.
- AI Governance: Members of the Security Council express significant concerns about the unchecked proliferation of artificial intelligence. Secretary-General Guterres has advocated for the establishment of a global watchdog to supervise AI development and create international regulatory frameworks.
- Climate Emergency: The U.N. climate summit, led by Secretary-General Guterres, will be a platform for member states to unveil their national strategies to combat global warming, a core priority for the U.N. leader.
Spain’s King Felipe VI on Gaza Crisis:
Spain’s King Felipe VI, the first leader to speak at today’s General Assembly, passionately defended the United Nations, declaring it “indefensible and irreplaceable.” King Felipe, whose country has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and recently imposed a total arms embargo, highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis and Palestinian suffering, including famine, starvation, and forced displacements in Gaza. He described these as “abhorrent acts that stand in stark contrast to everything that this forum represents,” and asserted that “they offend human conscience and shame the entire international community.”
Syria’s President on Israel:
President Ahmed al-Shara of Syria indicated on Tuesday his openness to a security agreement with Israel, but issued a clear warning against any Israeli expansionist plans or aggressive military actions in the region. Speaking at an event in Manhattan, he stated, “Any success in reaching a security agreement with Israel would pave the way toward peace, but there can be no peace through heavy-handed policies.” He further emphasized, “Syria will not pose a threat to any country, including Israel. The real risk comes from continued airspace violations and provocations.”
Iran’s President and Sanctions Diplomacy:
President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran is addressing the United Nations General Assembly at a pivotal moment for his country, which is grappling with the aftermath of a brief war with Israel and the United States, alongside ongoing international sanctions. As a cardiovascular physician who transitioned into moderate politics, Mr. Pezeshkian’s mission in New York is to prevent additional sanctions—specifically from the United Nations Security Council—stemming from disputes with Britain, France, and Germany over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The intense 12-day conflict in June saw Israel launch airstrikes on Iranian military facilities and assassinate top commanders, to which Iran responded with ballistic missile strikes. The United States subsequently bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities, effectively halting its program.
This marks Mr. Pezeshkian’s first appearance on the global stage since the June conflict. He aims to portray Iran as the victim of unprovoked military aggression, even as Europe considers new sanctions. Iranian officials familiar with the trip’s planning confirm the looming threat of sanctions.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, not for developing weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which had inspectors and cameras in Iran’s facilities before the attacks, has found no evidence of weaponization.
However, Iran’s longstanding hostile policy toward Israel includes calls for the elimination of the Jewish state and financial and military support for militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran had also significantly advanced its nuclear program, enriching uranium to near-weapons grade and accumulating enough stockpile for several bombs, should it choose to weaponize.
The stakes are incredibly high for Mr. Pezeshkian. Without specific concessions, particularly granting international inspectors full access to its nuclear sites, Security Council sanctions — including a freeze on Iranian assets abroad — are set to take effect on September 28. Iran’s currency has already plummeted against the U.S. dollar since the war, dropping further after the Security Council voted against extending sanctions relief last week. These new restrictions threaten not only Iran’s already struggling economy but also prospects for diplomacy.
Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert at the European Council for Foreign Relations, noted, “There is a camp within the Iranian government that understands this U.N.G.A. is their last opportunity this year to secure some kind of agreement with Trump, and that, in turn, may be their only chance to stave off the possibility of another Israeli strike.”
Within Iran, prominent political figures and reformist parties are openly urging Mr. Pezeshkian to consider an unprecedented meeting with President Trump. An open letter from the Kargozaran political party encouraged him to “lay the groundwork of comprehensive negotiations with the United States and Europe at the General Assembly, and get the country out of this no war, no peace situation.” Such a meeting would be historic, as the two countries have lacked diplomatic relations since 1979.
Last week, the United Nations Security Council cleared the way for renewed binding U.N. sanctions on Iran, after Britain, France, and Germany triggered a ‘snapback’ mechanism, citing Iran’s violations of the 2015 nuclear deal.
To suspend these snapback sanctions, the three nations outlined several conditions: immediate reinstatement of international inspectors’ access, disclosure of the unknown location of a 400-kilogram stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium, and the commencement of serious negotiations with the United States.
Iran’s foreign minister and lead nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, is in New York meeting with European and other counterparts. He told Iranian state television upon arrival, “I’m here to use diplomatic negotiations in the few days left, so maybe we will find a solution.” Mr. Araghchi and IAEA head Rafael Grossi met on Monday, reportedly with handshakes and smiles, as shown in IRNA news agency footage.
Iran had previously suspended cooperation with the IAEA and denied inspectors access after the U.S. bombings. While an agreement for renewed cooperation was announced in Cairo, inspections have yet to resume. Analysts suggest that Iran’s internal political divisions and lack of a clear strategy, coupled with the imminent sanctions deadline, make a swift deal with Europe unlikely.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated on Tuesday that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear bomb. He explained, “Countries that want to build nuclear weapons enrich up to 90 percent purity; since we do not need weapons and have decided against nuclear arms, we have not gone that far. We have raised it to 60 percent, which is a very high figure, a very good figure, and is necessary for some of our country’s needs.”
Leily Nikounazar contributed reporting.
Global Climate Action Persists Despite Trump’s Stance, Says E.U. Official:
Despite President Trump’s disavowal of climate action, the world’s commitment to tackling global warming remains strong, according to Wopke Hoekstra, the European Union’s climate commissioner. Speaking from New York City, Hoekstra noted, “We’re doing the exact opposite of what the U.S. is doing, which, by the way, I find concerning and problematic,” characterizing the Trump administration’s environmental policies as “basically checking out.”
Nevertheless, major economies worldwide continue to enhance their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment will be highlighted at a U.N. climate summit today in New York City, where 118 nations are expected to announce their 2035 emissions-reduction goals under the Paris climate accord.
The session may prove awkward for the European Union, whose lawmakers have not yet finalized the bloc’s 2035 climate targets. China, however, is anticipated to unveil its targets, which will be closely scrutinized given its substantial emissions, rapid adoption of solar, wind, and battery manufacturing, and ambition to transition a significant portion of its economy to clean-energy technologies.
In a Tuesday speech to the U.N. General Assembly, Mr. Trump dedicated a significant portion of his 57-minute address to dismissing the threats of climate change and criticizing wind turbines, environmentalists, and global allies. Given its announced withdrawal from the Paris accord, the United States is not expected to participate in this week’s U.N. climate summit or present its own emissions-reduction targets.
Mr. Hoekstra dismissed the E.U.’s delay in setting new climate targets as a characteristic of Europe’s democratic process. The European Union has provisionally agreed to reduce emissions by 66 to 72 percent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels, with Hoekstra confirming that final terms will be settled before the COP30 climate conference in Brazil in early November.
“That is what we call democracy,” he asserted. “And 10 out of 10 times, I would argue that such a system and such an approach is by far the better and the superior” to one that “lacks the ambition that the world needs, and that doesn’t have democratic legitimacy.”
These remarks underscore the delicate geopolitical tightrope walked by European leaders, who find themselves increasingly at odds with Washington’s policies yet reliant on U.S. cooperation for trade and security. This interdependence helps explain why the E.U., under pressure from the White House, is accelerating its ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, a move that stands to benefit American gas suppliers. The E.U. has also committed to purchasing $250 billion in oil and gas from the United States annually until the end of President Trump’s current term.
Europe also regards China with caution. Chinese companies currently dominate clean energy technologies, from controlling critical mineral supply chains to manufacturing affordable electric vehicles, prompting European lawmakers to raise concerns about unfair competition.
Zelensky ‘Surprised’ by Trump’s Ukraine U-Turn:
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine expressed surprise at President Trump’s recent shift in position regarding Russia’s war with Ukraine, adding that he believes his relationship with Mr. Trump has improved. These comments were made during a Tuesday evening interview with Fox News.
Mr. Trump had previously posted on Truth Social that he now believes Ukraine could, with financial backing from NATO and the European Union, reclaim all territory lost to Russia. This statement marked a significant reversal, as only a month prior, he had supported a plan for Ukraine to cede land in exchange for peace. Zelensky also suggested that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia’s apparent unwillingness to pursue peace had positively influenced his relationship with the American president. “The fact that Putin was lying to President Trump so many times also made a difference between us,” Zelensky told Bret Baier of Fox News. In the interview, the Ukrainian leader voiced cautious optimism regarding Trump’s renewed support for Kyiv’s position in the war.
In his social media post, Trump stated his conviction that, with support from the European Union and NATO, Ukraine “is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.” French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Trump’s remarks during his own speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday evening, expressing pleasure that Trump now believed Ukraine would “not only hold on, but ensure its rights prevail.”
Responding to a question from Mr. Baier, Zelensky indicated that Trump’s changed stance on land concessions could contribute to ending the war. “I think so, and God bless,” he said.
The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has previously been strained, famously demonstrated in February when Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly berated Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting. However, during their meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump praised the Ukrainian leader as a “brave man,” adding, “We have great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up. It’s pretty amazing, actually.”
Zelensky later told Baier, “I think we didn’t have close relation because we didn’t have — maybe — time. It’s good we have often phone calls and meetings,” referring to Trump. Despite this positive outlook on Trump’s support, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine remains in a “very difficult position.” Since May, Russia has seized between 170 and 215 square miles of territory each month, according to DeepState, a group tracking battlefield changes. Ukrainian commanders consistently report being outmanned and outgunned by Russian forces.
Catherine Porter contributed reporting.