Russia's war against Ukraine should not be frozen, not suspended, not forgotten, but ended – Zelensky at UN Security Council
Zelensky's speech during the high-level meeting of the UN Security Council. September 24. Photo: Office of The President of Ukraine
On September 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at a meeting of the UN Security Council, emphasizing that Russia's war against Ukraine should be ended, not frozen. This will only happen once the UN Charter is fully implemented.
The head of state's office's website quotes the speech's broadcast.
As Zelensky noted, Russia cannot refer to the UN Charter to explain its actions and is forced to lie in an attempt to justify its aggression.
"One day in this hall, it will surely be said that Russia's war against Ukraine has ended – not frozen, not paused, not forgotten. Truly ended.
And this will happen not because someone got tired of the war. Not because someone traded something with Putin.
Russia's war against Ukraine will end because the UN Charter will work. It must work. Our Ukrainian right to self-defense must prevail. Our cooperation with nations of the world who value life as we do. Our territorial integrity. Our sovereignty, the independence of our country. We are defending what every nation would surely want to protect for itself. And what the UN Charter grants to all," the president emphasized.
Russia has never provided a truthful explanation for why its military targets and harms innocent children in Ukraine, attacks and destroys hospitals and schools, and wages war not for justice but to disrupt the neighboring country's electricity.
Volodymyr Zelensky also pointed out that the Russian Federation has enlisted Iran and North Korea as their allies, as their weapons are already killing Ukrainians. The Russians are also attempting to involve Belarus, as well as countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, in the war.
According to the head of the Ukrainian state, Putin has violated so many international norms and rules that he will not stop on his own.
"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," Zelensky emphasized.
The president added that as the third winter of this war approaches, Russia is again trying to destroy Ukraine's energy supply, and this fall, they are acting even more cynically.
The head of state said that Ukraine has evidence that the Russian Federation is ready to attack three Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
"If Russia is ready to go that far, it means – nothing you value matters to Moscow. This kind of Russian cynicism will keep striking if it's given any room in the world," Zelensky emphasized.
In this context, he mentioned the "peace formula," which, Zelensky is sure, will be able to protect the UN charter.
"Russia's war against Ukraine will end because the UN Charter will work. It must work. Our Ukrainian right to self-defense must prevail," Zelensky added.
The president also noted that "some countries" offered to meet with Putin, but it was unclear to Zelensky what these countries wanted to hear from the head of the Russian Federation.
"But what could they possibly hear from him? That he's upset because we're exercising our right to defend our people? Or that he wants to keep the war and terror going just so no one thinks he was wrong? It's insane, too," Zelensky said.
The head of state emphasized that preparing for a second peace summit is also necessary to end the war.
"We invite China. We invite Brazil. I have already invited India. We are working with African nations, with all of Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, the Pacific region, North America. All are equally important for peace. All. Without exceptions.
Just as the UN Charter must work without exceptions. This is the process that will lead us to peace. To a just peace. A real peace. A peace that will last. All of us already know how to achieve it. We have the Peace Formula. We have the UN Charter. And we have all the strength needed to make it happen," Zelensky summarized.
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It should be noted that the official visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the States began this week.
Beginning this Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold a series of meetings in New York with leaders from various states and international organizations and the heads of American companies to discuss and address Ukraine's energy needs.
- On Monday, Zelensky spoke at the Future Summit at the UN headquarters.
- On Tuesday, he participated in the UN Security Council meeting on the Ukrainian issue.
- On Wednesday, he is expected to speak at the general debate in the UN General Assembly.
During Zelensky's stay in New York, numerous bilateral meetings with state leaders are planned.
In particular, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on September 23.
Also, on September 24, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President of Paraguay Santiago Peña in New York.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, kicked off his trip to the United States by touring the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania. The facility manufactures components for artillery and mortar shells and has expressed its intention to ramp up production of 155-mm shells for Ukraine.
On Thursday, Zelensky will visit Washington to talk with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. During his visit, Zelensky wants to present a "victory plan" for the defensive struggle against the Russian invaders.
In addition, according to the press, during the visit, Zelensky will insist on inviting Ukraine to join NATO and undertake the commitment of constant weapons supplies as part of Zelensky's victory plan.
