Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing “international crimes” and targeting the nuclear plant, and called on the UN Security Council and countries of the “global south” to force Russia to make peace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the usefulness of talks to resolve the Ukraine war and said countries around the world should unite to “force” Russia into peace. In a powerful speech to the UN Security Council, Zelenskyy told Russia, a permanent member, “I know there are people in the world who want to talk to Putin, but what will we hear from them that Putin is angry because we are exercising our right to defend our people?”
The Ukrainian leader accused Russia of “international crimes” such as destroying cities and villages, and said he had “evidence” that Russia was targeting Ukrainian nuclear power plants, which could have extremely serious consequences. “This war will not go away easily, and it cannot be quelled by talks,” Zelensky said, referring to Russia's threat of a nuclear attack, saying: “If Russia is willing to go this far, then nothing you hold dear is important to Moscow.”
President Zelensky called on the world, particularly those who have not supported the Ukraine war, to come forward with support, including from China, Brazil and African nations. Guardian He described his remarks as a message to “the countries of the Global South.”
He said: “I invite all of you, all principled nations, nations that truly respect the UN Charter, to join this process. China, Brazil, and I have already invited India. We are working with all African countries, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, the Pacific region and North America. All are equally important for peace.”
This will be a big week for President Zelensky. In addition to his regular speech at the UN, he is scheduled to meet with key US leaders, including President Biden, during his visit to the US to present what he has repeatedly called a “peace plan.” In addition to the US president, Zelensky is scheduled to visit a US munitions factory that makes artillery shells for the war, and to discuss the peace plan with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
One key element Zelenskiy is expected to address during his time in the United States is authorization to use long-range missiles to strike Russian military bases deep inside Russia. Ukraine says the sites are being used to launch massive airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, but it would be much more effective to destroy them on the ground before launching airstrikes.
European backers have been moving to support Ukraine's push deep into Russia's interior, but Washington remains opposed, fearing a deterioration in relations with Moscow.
President Zelenskyy is due to address the United Nations again today from 9am New York time (14:00pm BST) during the morning session of the general debate of the 79th UN General Assembly.
