Zelenskyy U.N. address Ukraine war/ Zelenskyy peace plan Russia/ Ukraine rejects compromise/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ UNITED NATIONS/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged global leaders at the U.N. General Assembly to reject any attempts to seek a ceasefire with Russia without true peace. He emphasized that his “peace formula” — which includes the full withdrawal of Russian forces — is the only solution. Zelenskyy’s remarks came amid pressure for negotiations and a backdrop of ongoing global conflicts.
Zelenskyy Calls for Global Unity, Rejects Ceasefire Without True Peace: Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy told world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly that there should be no alternative to his “peace formula” for ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian president emphasized that “any parallel or alternative attempts” to peace are merely seeking an “out” instead of ending the war.
- Zelenskyy’s plan requires the full withdrawal of Russian forces and accountability for war crimes.
- Russia has not yet spoken at the U.N. gathering, and President Vladimir Putin is not attending this year.
- The Israel-Hamas war and the Israeli-Lebanese border tensions have dominated much of the global attention at this year’s assembly.
- The war between Ukraine and Russia continues along a 600-mile front line, with Ukraine’s recent counterattacks making headlines.
- On Tuesday, Zelenskyy told the U.N. Security Council that Russia must be “forced into peace,” dismissing any attempts at negotiations with Putin.
- The Kremlin responded by calling Zelenskyy’s approach a “fatal mistake” and warned of consequences for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy Urges UN to Reject Russia Peace Compromise
Deep Look:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a powerful appeal to global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, urging them to stand united with Ukraine and resist calls for a quick ceasefire with Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized that only a “real, just peace” — based on his longstanding peace formula — can bring an end to the war that has ravaged Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Addressing the global audience at a time when both international allies and some Ukrainians are pressuring him to negotiate a ceasefire, Zelenskyy made it clear that his peace plan remains the only viable solution. His plan calls for the complete expulsion of Russian forces from all Ukrainian territories, as well as accountability for the war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict.
“Any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve an out instead of an end to the war,” Zelenskyy said, rejecting any compromises that fall short of these demands. He called on world leaders to “be united nations,” warning that division will only delay true peace and extend the suffering caused by the war.
Zelenskyy’s comments come as the war in Ukraine continues along a 600-mile front line, with tens of thousands of lives lost since the Russian invasion began. Although Russia has made some gains in eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy pointed to recent successes by Ukrainian forces, including a cross-border incursion into Russian territory last month. However, the conflict remains a grinding, costly affair, with no immediate end in sight.
Russia, whose high-level officials were absent from the General Assembly meeting, has yet to formally respond to Zelenskyy’s speech. President Vladimir Putin, who is not attending this year’s summit, has faced growing international pressure over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. During Zelenskyy’s speech, low-level Russian diplomats occupied the country’s seats in the assembly hall, with the Kremlin expected to make its response later in the week.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy delivered a similar message to the U.N. Security Council, insisting that Russia needs to “be forced into peace.” He argued that there is no point in pursuing negotiations with Putin, describing the Russian president as untrustworthy and incapable of engaging in meaningful talks. Zelenskyy’s firm stance against any ceasefire without full justice and restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty has become a central pillar of his diplomatic strategy.
The Kremlin was quick to respond to Zelenskyy’s remarks. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Zelenskyy’s approach a “fatal mistake” and warned that it would have dire consequences for the Kyiv government. Peskov added that Zelenskyy’s belief in forcing Russia into peace reflects a “profound misconception” of the geopolitical reality.
While the war in Ukraine has dominated U.N. gatherings over the past two years, this year’s meeting has been marked by attention to other global conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and rising tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Nonetheless, Zelenskyy’s address aimed to refocus international attention on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has led to widespread devastation, forced millions from their homes, and disrupted global economies.
As Zelenskyy prepares to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden later this week, he is expected to present a detailed plan for achieving victory against Russia. The meeting with Biden is crucial, as the U.S. remains one of Ukraine’s strongest allies, providing billions in military aid and support since the war began. Zelenskyy’s message to Biden and the rest of the international community is clear: anything short of complete victory will only embolden Russia and prolong the conflict.
With international debates over how to achieve peace continuing to swirl, Zelenskyy’s resolute call for global unity and justice underscores his commitment to a vision of peace that secures Ukraine’s sovereignty and holds Russia accountable for its aggression.
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