Mike Segar/Reuters
Zelenskyy spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 19.
CNN
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a dramatic speech on Tuesday, called for a global front against Russian aggression United Nations General Assembly – his first personal address to a global body since the Russian invasion in 2022.
“The aim of the current war against Ukraine is to turn our lands, our people, our resources into a weapon against you, against the order based on international rules,” Zelenskyy said. “Many seats in the General Assembly Hall may be empty if Russia succeeds in its treachery and aggression.”
Greeted by thunderous applause when he took the stage, Zelenskyy used his 15 minutes to accuse Russian leaders of terrorism and genocide, citing in particular the removal of Ukrainian children from the country.
Ukraine has been accusing Russia for a long time forcible deportation of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories – allegations that form the basis of an international war crimes warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some Russian officials condoned the practice and publicly boasted of their efforts to bring children to Russia, place them with Russian families and, in some cases, give them Russian passports.
Richard Drew/AP
Zelenskyy speaks at the UN General Assembly on September 19.
Zelenskyy also said the country was weaponizing the global food trade after the failure to revive the Black Sea grain deal and was “turning other countries’ power plants into real dirty bombs.”
“Armaments must be limited, war crimes must be punished, deported people must return home, and the occupier must return to his own country. We have to be united to get through this and we will get through it,” he said.
In warning other nations against “shady” cooperation with Russia, the Ukrainian president also referred to the death of Russian Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin last month.
“I am aware of their attempts at some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if anyone bets on Putin’s promises,” he said.
The Russian representative in the General Assembly hall was shown on UN cameras taking notes and checking his phone during the speech.
Zelenskyy is expected to meet with US President Joe Biden and travel to Washington later this week.
