New York: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the UN Security Council on Tuesday, rejecting the possibility of peace talks with Russia. Instead, he called for global “action” to force Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine and respect the United Nations Charter, particularly its principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly violated international rules and would not cease the war voluntarily. “And that’s why this war can’t simply fade away. That’s why this war can’t be calmed by talks,” Zelenskyy stated. “Russia can only be forced into peace, and that is exactly what’s needed—forcing Russia into peace as the sole aggressor in this war, the sole violator of the UN Charter,” he added.
The high-level Security Council meeting, held alongside the annual UN General Assembly, saw participation from ministers representing 14 of the 15 member nations, with Russia sending a lower-level UN ambassador. Russian representative Vassily Nebenzia expressed frustration with Zelenskyy’s ongoing appearances at the UN, criticizing the support he continues to receive from NATO and European Union nations.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed the organization’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reiterating that Russia’s actions since 2014 have violated these principles. Zelenskyy further questioned the value of peace negotiations with Putin, insisting that global pressure is essential to ending the war and associated terror.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China, Iran, and North Korea of assisting Russia in various ways to sustain its war effort. While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China’s stance on respecting the sovereignty of all nations, he did not directly address Blinken’s accusations. Blinken also highlighted Russia’s growing dependence on Iran and North Korea, arguing that it exacerbates global security threats.
