From Trump’s Ukraine shift to UN escalator glitches: Top 10 highlights of day one at the 80th UNGA session

UNGA 80th session

World leaders gathered in New York from September 23 to September 29 for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The high-profile event, till now, featured discussions on global conflicts, climate change, migration, and international diplomacy.

Addressing the UNGA for the first time since 2020, US President Donald Trump delivered a combative speech criticizing global migration, climate policies, and the United Nations itself, while meeting several leaders on the sidelines, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump calls climate change a “con job,” backs Ukraine’s full territorial restoration, criticizes global migration, and demands Europe cut Russian energy purchases.

Let's take a closer look at the top 10 developments: 

• Trump’s Shift on Ukraine: After meeting Zelenskyy, Trump posted on Truth Social, “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.”

• Zelenskyy Meets UN Security Council: Zelenskyy said he discussed a few “good ideas” with Trump and expects U.S. actions to “push Russia towards peace.”

• Russia Downplays Trump: Moscow’s Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy commented, “Don't get so excited about every tweet,” minimizing the significance of Trump’s statement.

• Criticism of Global Migration and Climate Change: Trump called climate change the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and emphasized ending the “failed experiment of open borders.”

• Palestinian State Stance: Trump rejected moves by allies to recognize a Palestinian state.

• European Allies and Russian Energy: Trump said, “China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase the Russian oil… They (European countries) have to immediately cease all energy purchases from Russia. Otherwise we're all wasting a lot of time.”

• UNGA Technical Glitches: Trump opened his speech, noting teleprompter issues, saying, “I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter because the teleprompter is not working,” adding it allowed him to “speak more from the heart.”

• Humorous Anecdotes: Trump recounted a halted escalator at the UN, saying, “If the First Lady wasn’t in great shape, she would’ve fallen. But she’s in great shape. We’re both in good shape. We both stood.”

• French President Emmanuel Macron said that US President Donald Trump could only be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize if he successfully ends the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians over Gaza.

• Funding the Ukraine War: Trump termed India and China “primary funders” of Moscow’s war due to their Russian oil purchases, criticizing NATO allies for not cutting off energy imports.

• U.S. Stance on Ukraine Conflict: Trump called on European nations to adopt the same economic measures he proposes against Russia to end the war and highlighted America’s commitment to backing Ukraine with EU support.