Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly, criticizing Russia's war effort and calling for international support to reach a peace agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly on September 23, calling for continued international support and emphasizing the need for peace. During his speech, he criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership and the human cost of the ongoing conflict. Zelensky stated that Ukraine did not choose the war and remains committed to defending its independence and freedom.

Human and Territorial Costs

Zelensky reported that the Russian army has lost more than 248,000 soldiers killed or seriously wounded in the first eight months of this year. He claimed that for every kilometer of Ukrainian territory captured this year, Russia has paid with 248 lives. He noted that despite these losses, Russia has secured only slightly more than 1,000 square kilometers of territory, a significant portion of which Ukraine has already liberated.

Warnings Regarding Winter and Technology

The Ukrainian President warned that if Russia continues to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Ukraine will respond by making the winter painful for Russia as well. He also highlighted the potential for artificial intelligence to play a larger role in battlefield decision-making by next year, arguing that peace is necessary before that stage is reached. Additionally, Zelensky stated that Russia is currently enlisting citizens from 47 different countries to fight in its war.