At UN, Zelenskyy tells Russia to stop war so world can fight climate, other crises

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (19 September) made a push to woo developing nations’ support, telling the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that stopping Russia’s war was necessary to focus on other pressing global problems.

Appearing in his trademark green military fatigues, Zelenskyy drew applause as he took his place at the United Nations General Assembly podium for his first in-person appearance at the annual UNGA since Russia invaded his country.

Without naming names, Zelenskyy targeted Latin America, Africa and Asian countries that have tried to remain neutral in the war, calling on them to “end the aggression” and reject “shady dealings,” which was largely read as referring to Russia’s disinformation efforts towards – in many cases perceptive – developing countries.

“Evil cannot be trusted,” the Ukrainian president warned, urging them to support his 10-point peace plan proposal.

The plan presented last year includes restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawing Russian troops and cessation of hostilities, and restoring Ukraine’s state borders.

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Instead, Zelenskyy said he was now working towards a peace summit based on that and would “present the details at a special meeting of the UN Security Council” on Wednesday (20 September).

“Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after Russian aggression, no one in the world will dare to attack any nation,” Zelenskyy said.

“Weaponisation must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home, and the occupier must return to their own land,” he said, warning that Russian aggression will not end in Ukraine.

“Each decade, Russia starts a new war,” Zelenskyy said. “Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression.”

Wooing developing countries

Ukraine’s president called out Moscow for what he said was an “attempt to weaponise (a) food shortage on (the) global market in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, of captured territories.”

Russia’s war in Ukraine has deepened major global supply disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, driving a huge spike in food and energy prices and increasing distress in many developing countries.

In talking points directed at non-Western countries, Zelenskyy stressed issues such as food insecurity, nuclear threats and the unfairness of a global system that seems to primarily benefit the great powers.

In a nod to the Global South, whose support Ukraine is seeking to secure for future peace efforts, Zelenskyy spoke about the worsening climate crisis and natural disasters, mentioning the recent earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya.

“We have to stop it. We must act united to defeat the aggressor and focus all our capabilities and energy on addressing these challenges [instead],” he told the General Assembly.

Condemning Moscow’s decision to exit the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed shipments of Ukrainian agricultural products to reach the global food market, Zelenskyy said that Moscow’s actions amounted to a “weaponisation” of food.

He also pointed the finger at the Kremlin for “using energy as a weapon” and for its efforts to “turn other countries’ power plants into real dirty bombs” about Russia’s attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

On the UN level, the ‘Ukraine consensus’ has so far remained solid, with many of the countries signing up to a series of non-binding UN General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression, passed since Moscow invaded Ukraine last year February.

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Speaking at the start of the session …

But while Zelenskyy’s words struck the right tone, they are less likely to lead to developing countries stepping away from their ties with Russia, whom many have critical economic and security relationships with.

More reluctant non-Western countries have so far not taken significant moves, such as reducing purchases of Russian energy products or enforcing Western sanctions on the Kremlin.

And despite an overwhelming welcome and applause, the General Assembly hall also sported visibly empty sections.

Russia will get its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday, with a speech to be delivered by the country’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov.

Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky was the only Russian diplomat who sat in Russia’s UN seat during Zelenskyy’s address.

On Tuesday morning, US President Joe Biden – expected to meet Zelenskyy later this week at the White House – told leaders that “Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence.”

“If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?” Biden asked during his UNGA speech.

“Russia alone bears responsibility for this war,” he said. “Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately.”

[Edited by Alice Taylor]

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