Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy travels to New York to seek more support for the Ukraine war, but fading hopes for U.S. sanctions on Russia highlight growing uncertainty about the conflict’s future.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in the United States this week to address the UN General Assembly and meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump, hoping to rally further backing for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. But in Kyiv, officials are preparing for a tougher reality: a new stage of the Ukraine war where the country may need to rely more heavily on itself.
Fading hopes for U.S. sanctions
Ukraine’s push for tough new U.S. sanctions on Russia appears to be losing momentum. Despite months of lobbying, Kyiv has struggled to persuade Trump to approve measures strong enough to hit Russia’s war economy. Diplomats admit that Ukraine’s expectations for this trip are far less dramatic than during Zelenskiy’s previous visits to Washington.
Uncertainty at home
Public sentiment in Ukraine reflects this cautious mood. Only 18% of Ukrainians believe the war could end this year, according to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. Many citizens fear that foreign support may continue to diminish, forcing Ukraine to adapt its war strategy.
Meanwhile, Russia has not only secured some recent diplomatic wins — including a red-carpet reception for President Vladimir Putin at a summit with Trump in Alaska — but also continues to demand full control of occupied territories, roughly 20% of Ukraine’s land.
Turning to self-reliance
With sanctions uncertain, Kyiv has been shifting gears. Ukrainian think-tanks that once focused on analyzing Russia for sanctions targets are now providing military intelligence to guide drone strikes against Russian assets. Recently, Ukraine’s long-range drones hit Russian ports and refineries, signaling Kyiv’s determination to step up its own efforts.
Zelenskiy is expected to push Trump for more sanctions and use his UN speech to highlight Ukraine’s sovereignty, especially regarding Crimea. Ukrainian officials describe this trip as “pragmatic diplomacy” rather than a make-or-break mission.
Battlefield and weapons support
On the ground, Russian forces continue slow advances in eastern Ukraine, though without major breakthroughs. U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons remain vital for Kyiv’s survival. Ukraine recently secured over $2 billion in U.S.-produced arms, including Patriot missiles and HIMARS rocket launchers, strengthening its defensive capabilities.
Despite ongoing battlefield losses, Ukrainian officials insist their strategy is to neutralize Russia, denying Moscow the ability to claim victory. Still, many in Kyiv doubt that Trump will impose new sanctions and argue that strengthening Ukraine’s military is the only realistic path forward.