President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a New York City hotel during the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 25.
In pictures: The UN General Assembly
President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a New York City hotel during the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 25.
Evan Vucci/AP

Updated 2:51 PM EDT, Wed September 25, 2019

Global leaders are in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly.

Addressing the UN on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump spelled out a staunchly nationalist platform.

"The free world must embrace its national foundations. It must not attempt to erase them or replace them," Trump said as he began his address. "Looking around, and all over this large, magnificent planet, the truth is plain to see: If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation."

Overshadowing Trump's week at the UN General Assembly is an unrelated controversy: his reported attempt to persuade Ukraine's leader to investigate a political rival during a summer phone call. The plots will converge Wednesday when Trump meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit. But before then, the President will dart between meetings with more than a dozen foreign leaders.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani speaks during the UN General Assembly on September 25.
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani speaks during the UN General Assembly on September 25.
Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Attorney Amal Clooney listens during a panel discussion on media freedom at the United Nations headquarters September 25.
Attorney Amal Clooney listens during a panel discussion on media freedom at the United Nations headquarters September 25.
Seth Wenig/AP
President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands after signing a trade agreement on September 25, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands after signing a trade agreement on September 25, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
President Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 24.
President Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 24.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
In this handout photo provided by the German Government Press Office, Trump meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 24.
In this handout photo provided by the German Government Press Office, Trump meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 24.
Guido Bergmann/Getty Images
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the UN General Assembly on September 24. He is holding up a photo of Alan Kurdi, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/02/europe/migration-crisis-boy-washed-ashore-in-turkey/index.html" target="_blank">a young Syrian refugee who drowned</a> in the Mediterranean Sea while he and his family tried to reach Europe in 2015.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the UN General Assembly on September 24. He is holding up a photo of Alan Kurdi, a young Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while he and his family tried to reach Europe in 2015.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Members of the Trump cabinet, his family and White House staffers listen to the US President's speech on September 24.
Members of the Trump cabinet, his family and White House staffers listen to the US President's speech on September 24.
Evan Vucci/AP
President Trump delivers remarks on September 24. He chastised a "permanent political class" that is "overly disdainful," claiming they -- along with the media, economic institutions and technology companies -- were pushing "flat-out assaults on our histories, traditions and values."<br />
President Trump delivers remarks on September 24. He chastised a "permanent political class" that is "overly disdainful," claiming they -- along with the media, economic institutions and technology companies -- were pushing "flat-out assaults on our histories, traditions and values."
Carlo Allegri/Reuters
France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks at the UN General Assembly on September 24.
France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks at the UN General Assembly on September 24.
Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Getty Images
Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hold a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 24.
Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hold a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 24.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speaks at the UN General Assembly on September 24.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speaks at the UN General Assembly on September 24.
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
Trump addresses reporters as he arrives at the UN headquarters with first lady Melania Trump on September 24.
Trump addresses reporters as he arrives at the UN headquarters with first lady Melania Trump on September 24.
Craig Ruttle/AP
The UN building can be seen as the sun rises in Manhattan on the morning of the start of the UN General Assembly on September 24.
The UN building can be seen as the sun rises in Manhattan on the morning of the start of the UN General Assembly on September 24.
Kay Nietfeld/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP
Trump makes remarks about former Vice President Joe Biden and Ukraine while meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland on Monday, September 23.
Trump makes remarks about former Vice President Joe Biden and Ukraine while meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland on Monday, September 23.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
Climate activist Greta Thunberg <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/weather/greta-thunberg-unga-climate-speech-intl/index.html" target="_blank">delivers a passionate message to world leaders</a> during the Climate Summit on September 23.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg delivers a passionate message to world leaders during the Climate Summit on September 23.
Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images
Trump leaves the Climate Summit after German Chancellor Angela Merkel's speech.
Trump leaves the Climate Summit after German Chancellor Angela Merkel's speech.
Kay Nietfeld/Picture-Alliance/DPA/Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at the Climate Summit, where she pledged to double her country's climate protection funding.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at the Climate Summit, where she pledged to double her country's climate protection funding.
Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images
Trump talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as Vice President Mike Pence listens during an event on religious freedom on September 23.
Trump talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as Vice President Mike Pence listens during an event on religious freedom on September 23.
Evan Vucci/AP
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Trump speaks at the meeting on religious freedom on September 23.
Trump speaks at the meeting on religious freedom on September 23.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Thunberg watches as Trump enters the UN headquarters in this still image from video taken on September 23.
Thunberg watches as Trump enters the UN headquarters in this still image from video taken on September 23.
Andrew Hofstetter/Reuters
A language interpreter looks out from behind a glass wall inside the General Assembly Hall ahead of the Climate Summit.
A language interpreter looks out from behind a glass wall inside the General Assembly Hall ahead of the Climate Summit.
Yana Paskova/Reuters