President Zelensky visited a munitions factory in Pennsylvania on September 22 as he began a high-profile visit to the United States, where he is expected to present his plan to defeat Russia to President Joe Biden and other allies.

Mr Zelensky will outline his full “victory plan” – including Kiev’s long-standing request to use long-range missiles on targets inside Russia – to Mr Biden, before sharing it with both presidential candidates, US lawmakers and international partners.

"This fall will decide the future of this war," Mr. Zelensky posted on social network X from the plane before landing in the US.

“Together with our partners, we can strengthen our position as necessary for our victory, a shared victory for a truly just peace,” he wrote.

Mr Zelensky began his US visit at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Mr Biden’s hometown, where he thanked workers who supplied ammunition to Ukraine and said the facility would ramp up production of 155mm artillery shells, which are vital to Kiev.

“It is in places like this that you can really feel that the democratic world can prevail,” he said. “Thanks to these people, both in Ukraine, in the United States and in all partner countries, who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected,” he stressed.

Mr Zelensky has pushed Ukraine’s allies to loosen arms restrictions to strike deeper into Russia. But the US and the West have been reluctant, fearing tensions with Moscow could spiral out of control. Mr Zelensky hopes his arguments will be heard during his visit.

Mr Zelensky is scheduled to travel to New York, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly on September 24 and meet with leaders of the Global South, the G7, Europe and international organisations.

He will then travel to Washington for talks with Mr Biden and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

"I want to see what she thinks about this victory plan. As I told you, the plan does not only include what is needed now, but it will take into account the situation after November. That is, the United States is about to have a new president and we need to talk to each candidate about this," he emphasized.

Ms Harris has expressed her support for Ukraine and its NATO allies and said she would continue Mr Biden’s pro-Ukraine policy if elected president.

Mr Zelensky also plans to meet Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected.