President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will be meeting with President Joe Biden during the UN General Assembly in the United States this week to push for increased military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. As the full-scale invasion by Russian forces continues, Zelensky aims to secure more firepower crucial for a potential Ukrainian victory, including the approval to use missiles for strikes deep into Russia. Zelensky's visit comes amidst efforts by European countries to pressure the U.S. to enhance weaponry supplies to Ukraine and permit strikes deeper into Russian territory using Western missiles.

During a recent address to the nation, Zelensky emphasized the importance of swift action from Western allies, particularly the United States, to support Ukraine's "victory plan." He praised Ukraine's armed forces for their recent successful drone strike on a Russian weapons depot, highlighting the impact of provided weapons on the conflict's outcome. Zelensky's trip to the U.S. also aims to engage with Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and seek their support for Ukraine's defense efforts.

The Ukrainian president's call for increased military support aligns with recent statements by U.S. officials suggesting a potential lift on restrictions for Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes into Russia using Western-supplied missiles. Ukraine hopes that such actions will help weaken Russian combat capabilities and deter further attacks on Ukrainian soil. The Biden administration has been deliberating on this decision for several months, with Ukraine advocating for access to advanced Western weaponry, such as JASSM cruise missiles and ATACMS missiles, to bolster its defensive capabilities.