Trump’s UN schedule may exclude meetings with Netanyahu and Zelensky

Saturday 19 September 2026 - 10:15

By: Azzat Manal

Trump’s UN schedule may exclude meetings with Netanyahu and Zelensky

US President Donald Trump is expected to have a tightly packed schedule during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, with meetings planned with several foreign leaders. According to US officials, a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently considered unlikely, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also not expected to be among Trump’s scheduled bilateral meetings.

The annual UN gathering will bring world leaders to New York amid several major international crises, including the war involving Iran, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. Trump is expected to use his time in New York for a series of meetings before returning to Washington.

US officials cited Netanyahu’s limited availability and the difficulty of coordinating the two leaders’ schedules as reasons a meeting may not take place. Netanyahu is expected to spend only a short period in New York for the General Assembly, while his appearance comes during Israel’s election season. His office has indicated that his schedule has not yet been finalized.

Trump is nevertheless expected to hold several other meetings during the UN week. US officials have confirmed plans for discussions with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as well as a meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Gulf meeting is expected to address developments surrounding the Iran conflict and possible arrangements for the period following the fighting.

Trump is also scheduled to meet Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez during a reception on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The encounter would be their first in-person meeting and is expected to take place as part of the broader US engagement with Venezuela’s current leadership.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is scheduled to participate in the UN General Assembly, where the war in Ukraine is expected to remain among the major issues discussed by world leaders. However, available reports indicate that a meeting with Trump has not been included in the current schedule. The two leaders have previously held discussions on US support for Ukraine and the broader diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict.

The absence of confirmed meetings with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy reflects the logistical constraints surrounding Trump’s short visit rather than a definitive decision on future contacts. Diplomatic schedules at the General Assembly can change as leaders arrive in New York and additional meetings are arranged.