WASHINGTON—Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, landed in the United States on Sunday to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He urged the international community to increase its support for his country for “a shared victory for a truly just peace.” His intervention comes as the Ukraine drama shifts to a new level in the military and diplomatic arena.

“This fall will define the future of this war,” Zelenskiy said in a post on X (previously called Twitter), along with sharing his nightly video message recorded on his plane. The Ukrainian leader’s visit comes at a crucial time as Ukraine expects an even more unpredictable winter as Russia has not stopped targeting Ukraine’s power infrastructure.

During the joint press conference with Biden, Zelenskiy also accompanied Biden on tour at the Enterprise Center in Scranton, where he watched the production of 155-millimetre artillery shells, an essential weapon for Ukraine. The Ukrainian president also thanked the workers, saying, “It is in places like this where you can feel that the democratic world is on the right track.”

Fears of an artillery shell shortage have emerged after Russia has upped attacks on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure, especially with winter on the horizon. Zelenskiy noted that Ukraine is doing everything to improve its defences, including acquiring new weapons and sustaining international support.

From Pennsylvania, Zelenskiy will proceed to New York to attend several appointments with the US business and leaders in energy, heads of the state and international organisations. His visit comes as Washington was sealing a $375 million defence aid package for Ukraine that will feature patrol boats, artillery shells and spare parts, bigger after several months of less large military aid deliveries to Ukraine.

When addressing the nation, Zelenskiy mentioned that he plans to submit a ‘victory plan’ for the Ukrainian military effort to Biden, then meet with Harris and other global leaders. He was also slated to attend Security Council sessions on Ukraine and deliver a speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.

Mr Zelenskiy’s visit occurs when American politicians discuss the prospects of further support for Ukraine. The current president, an ex-president of the United States of America, has recently made statements on the unconstructive use of American money to support Ukraine. During the visit, though the President has not, Trump has said that he could also possibly meet with Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy, although no date for the meeting has been set.

The military aid package, expected to be announced this week, could evolve further before President Biden approves it. As Ukraine prepares for harsher months ahead, Zelenskiy’s U.S. visit is crucial in ensuring continued international support to sustain its fight against Russian aggression.