Trump set for whirlwind UN meetings with wars in Iran, Ukraine on agenda

Donald Trump is scheduled for a busy day of meetings at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, amidst ongoing conflicts and strained international relationships. The German-born leader's itinerary spans four continents, with meetings set to include no less than 11 world leaders. Trump is expected to begin his day with a speech to delegates, followed by bilateral or group meetings with British Prime Minister Andrea Burnham, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.

His evening may see him meeting additional leaders briefly during a leaders' reception. The extensive schedule highlights Trump's continued emphasis on foreign policy during his second term, which has included initiating wars, challenging alliances, threatening allies with invasion, and mediating numerous conflicts with varying degrees of success.

One of the most consequential conflicts during his tenure has been the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which has contributed to global fuel price increases, negatively impacted his approval ratings, and posed challenges for Republican candidates in the upcoming November midterm elections.

A significant portion of Trump's agenda will focus on the Gulf leaders' meeting, with many nations concerned about the recent advances of Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, their attacks on the US ally Saudi Arabia, and their threats to shipping through the Bab el-Mandab strait. Other closely watched meetings include Trump's first-ever encounter with Venezuela's Rodriguez, who came to power with Trump's support after the US removed President Nicolas Maduro in January and extradited him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Trump's team believes Rodriguez can facilitate the opening of Venezuela's oil sector to US investment, but Democrats and some Republicans argue the administration has not adequately advocated for new elections in the South American country.

In another meeting, Trump will ink an accord with Denmark and Greenland to increase US military presence on the island while restricting that of potential adversaries. Danish and Greenland officials hope this agreement will address Trump's previous comments about potentially taking Greenland by force.