Before the UN Security Council, Ukrainian President Zelenskyj expressed skepticism that the Russian war of aggression against his country could be ended through negotiations. Russia could only be “forced into peace.”
In a combative speech to the UN Security Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for Moscow to be “forced to make peace.” This war cannot be calmed by talks, Zelensky said in a meeting of the highest UN body on the sidelines of the UN General Debate. He added: “Action must be taken.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has “broken so many international laws and rules that he will not stop doing so on his own. Russia can only be forced to make peace, and that is exactly what is needed,” said Zelensky.
Thanks for international support
Zelensky thanked “all nations that are really helping in a way that saves the lives of our people.” He knows that some people in the world want to talk to Putin, the president said. “But what could they possibly hear from him? That he is angry because we are exercising our right to defend our people? Or that he wants to continue the war and terror just so no one thinks he is wrong?” This is crazy. Putin has “broken so many international norms and rules that he will not stop on his own,” Zelensky said.
Russia began its war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russia occupies about a fifth of its neighboring country and claims at least five administrative regions in the southeast of the country as well as the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.
While Zelensky was speaking, the Russian UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya demonstratively leafed through his documents and looked at his cell phone. In his speech, the Russian representative then mocked Zelensky: The former actor was “playing the role of the cool guy.” Under him, Ukraine had become a “one-man dictatorship.” On the battlefield, the Ukrainian army was on the verge of complete collapse. Zelensky had already left the room at this point.
Selenskyj wants to present “victory plan”
Before his trip to the USA, Zelensky had raised expectations of a “victory plan” that had been announced for weeks, the details of which he plans to present to US President Joe Biden on Thursday. According to media reports, the plan includes a demand for Western security guarantees similar to those of NATO membership. In addition, unspecified specific weapons and further financial aid are to be requested.
Baerbock for Security guarantees
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the meeting that peace means that Ukraine’s existence as a free and independent country is guaranteed – with security guarantees. She added: “When we talk about peace, it means for Ukraine that it can be sure that the end of the fighting will not mean another round of preparations in Russia.” This applies to Ukraine as well as Moldova and Poland. Peace must be just and lasting.
Great Britain: Russia is a mafia state
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Putin directly and said into the camera: “Your invasion serves your own interests, yours alone, to expand your mafia state into a mafia empire, an empire built on corruption that robs the Russian people just as it robs Ukraine.” Putin’s empire is based on lies and spreads disinformation at home and abroad to create unrest.
Blinken defends Arms deliveries
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for more decisive action against Russia’s supporters in the Ukraine war and urged compliance with the principles of the UN Charter. France’s new Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said there should be no impunity for the crimes committed by Russia.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had previously told the panel that China was committed to peace and was not a party to the conflict. “Dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis.”
Blinken rejected criticism of the US supplying Ukraine with weapons. There is a crucial difference, he said: “Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine is the victim.”