In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on nations to back Kyiv’s vision for a genuine and equitable peace. He emphasized the need to withdraw Russian forces to end hostilities and hold war criminals accountable. Zelensky argued that any alternative peace proposals would merely result in a temporary cessation of conflict rather than a true resolution. “Ukraine wants to end this war more than anyone in the world,” he stated, underscoring that a just peace cannot be achieved without recognizing Ukraine’s sovereignty and the sacrifices made by its soldiers.
Zelensky also recalled a terrifying moment from the war when Russian tanks targeted Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, warning that such acts could lead to a nuclear catastrophe. He expressed grave concerns over Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which he claimed were intended to “torment millions of Ukrainians” during the winter months. He urged U.N. delegates to envision their own nations facing similar devastation and reiterated the urgency of restoring nuclear safety and food security. Concluding his remarks, Zelensky insisted that any end to the conflict must ensure a full and just peace, declaring, “Ukrainians will never accept that a brutal colonial past can be imposed on Ukraine now.”
Peoplesmind