Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations Security Council, urging the international community to compel Russia into peace. In a powerful speech, Zelenskyy underscored that negotiations alone would not be sufficient to end the ongoing war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He characterised Russia as the “sole aggressor” and a “blatant violator” of the UN Charter, emphasising that the international rules Moscow has broken could not be restored through dialogue alone.
Zelenskyy stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed numerous international crimes and consistently disregarded global norms. The Ukrainian leader argued that Putin would not voluntarily halt his aggression, stating, “This war will not simply fade away, nor can it be pacified through talks.” According to Zelenskyy, the only viable solution is to “force Russia into peace”, as it remains the primary instigator and violator in the conflict. His call to action was clear: global pressure must be applied to end the suffering and destruction in Ukraine.
The Kremlin swiftly responded, dismissing Zelenskyy’s remarks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labelled the suggestion of forcing Russia into peace as a “fatal mistake”. He argued that while Russia supports peace, it is only under the condition that its security interests are safeguarded. Peskov maintained that any attempt to pressure Russia would be ineffective, and warned that such positions would have severe consequences for the Kyiv government.
Despite Russia’s claims, Zelenskyy remains determined to rally support among Ukraine’s allies, presenting what he describes as a “victory plan”. This blueprint aims to secure a decisive end to the war and ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelenskyy rejected any notion of territorial concessions, insisting that peace cannot be achieved by surrendering Ukrainian land to Russia, even if it were a solution offered by other international actors. He reiterated that the war would not end simply because the world had grown weary of it, nor through compromising with Putin.
The meeting in New York was attended by 14 of the 15 Security Council members, with Russia represented by its permanent ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia. While Zelenskyy’s statements received strong backing from many members, Russia’s representatives dismissed his proposals as misguided and unrealistic. They argued that Ukraine’s approach was built on a flawed understanding of the situation and that peace could only come through securing Russia’s strategic interests.
Zelenskyy’s address also touched on external actors involved in the conflict, naming North Korea and Iran as “de facto accomplices” in Russia’s war effort. Both nations have been accused of supplying arms to Moscow, with investigators finding debris from North Korean weapons in Ukraine. Despite denials from Tehran, Zelenskyy condemned these partnerships, warning of the broader implications of foreign involvement in the conflict.
The situation in Ukraine remains a focal point for the international community. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Zelenskyy’s concerns, warning that China also plays a significant role in supporting Russia’s war machine. Blinken accused China of providing critical supplies, including machine tools and microelectronics, that enable Russia to rebuild its military capabilities. However, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected these accusations, reiterating Beijing’s commitment to peace and criticising efforts to deflect blame onto China.
In closing, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reinforced the global body’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning Russia’s actions as a clear breach of the UN Charter. He stressed that the war, initiated by Russia’s invasion in 2022 and its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, remains a stark violation of international law.
