Zelenskyy addresses U.N./ Ukraine war U.N. speech/ global action against Russia/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ UNITED NATIONS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed peace talks with Russia at the U.N. and called for global “action” to force Russia into peace. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of violating international laws and demanded that global leaders uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty. U.S. Secretary of State Blinken also highlighted Russia’s reliance on military support from Iran, North Korea, and China.
Zelenskyy’s Call for Global Action to Force Russian Peace: Quick Looks
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy dismissed the idea of peace talks, demanding global action to force Russia into peace.
- Zelenskyy condemned Russian President Putin for violating international laws and called Russia the sole aggressor in the war.
- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated support for Ukraine’s sovereignty under the U.N. Charter.
- Russia’s U.N. ambassador protested Zelenskyy’s speech, criticizing the council for allowing “anti-Russian” statements.
- China’s foreign minister called for peace talks, advocating diplomacy to stop the war.
- Zelenskyy accused Iran and North Korea of supplying arms to Russia, while the U.S. blamed China for aiding Russia’s war efforts.
- U.S. Secretary of State Blinken accused Iran of providing drones and North Korea of sending weapons to Russia.
- Blinken stressed that Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is defending its sovereignty.
Zelenskyy Urges Global Action to Force Russian Peace
Deep Look:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a powerful message at the United Nations on Tuesday, urging global leaders to abandon the notion of peace talks with Russia and instead pursue decisive action to force Russia into ending its war in Ukraine. Speaking at a U.N. Security Council meeting, Zelenskyy made it clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly violated international laws, showing no intention of stopping on his own. Zelenskyy insisted that “forcing Russia into peace” is the only viable solution, as diplomacy alone has proven ineffective.
Zelenskyy highlighted the core principle of the U.N. Charter, which mandates respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he argued, blatantly disregards these principles, making peace talks futile. “This war can’t simply fade away. It can’t be calmed by talks,” Zelenskyy declared, urging the global community to take firm action against what he called an “international crime” committed by Russia. The Ukrainian leader described Russia as the sole violator of the U.N. Charter and emphasized that Putin must be forced into compliance.
The high-level U.N. meeting, convened on the sidelines of the General Assembly, included ministers from 14 of the 15 Security Council members. Russia, notably, chose to send its U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, instead of a higher-ranking official. Nebenzia expressed frustration with Zelenskyy’s speech and criticized the council for allowing what he called an “anti-Russian chorus” to dominate the discussion. He also accused non-members, particularly European Union and NATO countries, of consistently aligning with Ukraine to malign Russia.
Despite Nebenzia’s objections, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reminding the council of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine since February 2022. “Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is a clear violation of U.N. principles,” Guterres emphasized.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that some nations, including China, have advocated for peace talks with Putin. However, he dismissed the idea of meaningful dialogue with the Russian president, questioning what could be gained from such discussions. Zelenskyy asked, “What could they possibly hear from him — that he’s upset because we are exercising our right to defend our people?”
China, a key global player, has repeatedly called for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China’s stance, advocating for diplomacy to end the conflict. Wang stressed that Chinese President Xi Jinping upholds the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, and he noted China’s efforts in peace-building, including the joint China-Brazil peace plan. However, Zelenskyy was critical of countries that supply Russia with weapons, calling out Iran and North Korea as “de facto accomplices” in the war.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also addressed the Security Council, raising concerns over military support flowing to Russia. Blinken accused China of supplying Russia with critical materials such as microelectronics and machine tools, which have been used to bolster Russia’s war machine. He also pointed to Iran’s role in providing armed drones to Russia since 2022 and recently transferring hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles. Iran’s newly appointed president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has denied these accusations, but Blinken emphasized that Russia’s increasing reliance on military support from Iran and North Korea highlights the growing global consequences of the war.
North Korea has also contributed to Russia’s war efforts, according to Blinken, by sending trainloads of weapons and ammunition, including ballistic missiles and artillery rounds. These shipments have only intensified as the war drags on. Blinken warned that the deeper Russia’s ties with countries like Iran and North Korea grow, the more dangerous the situation becomes, not only for Ukraine but for global security. “The more Russia relies on their support, the more Iran and North Korea extract in return,” Blinken stated, noting that Putin’s growing alliances with these authoritarian regimes pose new threats to peace and stability.
Blinken responded to critics who question why the U.S. and its allies continue to supply Ukraine with military aid. He reaffirmed that the answer is simple: Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is defending its right to exist. “Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim,” Blinken said, urging the international community to stand by Ukraine in its fight to preserve its sovereignty and freedom.
As the war continues, Zelenskyy’s message at the U.N. serves as a stark reminder of the human and political toll of Russia’s invasion. His call for global action reflects the increasing frustration within Ukraine and among its allies, who believe that only a united international front can bring about the end of Russian aggression.
