Top Stories

Ukraine war: Russian ‘evil cannot be trusted’, Zelensky tells UN

“Evil cannot be trusted,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the UN General Assembly, as he urged the world to unite to end Russian aggression against his country.

In a passionate speech in New York, Mr Zelensky said a nuclear-armed Moscow must be stopped from “pushing the world to the final war”.

Advertisement

He also accused Russia of weaponising everything from food to energy.

Russia’s full-scale invasion has prompted widespread condemnation.

Advertisement

In a speech which focused heavily on the danger Russia poses to the world, he argued that other common challenges such as climate change can only be properly addressed after Moscow had been pushed back.

“While Russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after the Russian aggression no-one in the world will dare to attack any nation,” Mr Zelensky said to world leaders attending the annual General Assembly.

Advertisement

He also said Russia simply had “no right to hold nuclear weapons”.

“Weaponisation must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home, and the occupier must return to their own land.

Advertisement

“We must be united to make it, and we will do it!” Mr Zelensky said.

He also accused Moscow of carrying out “genocide” by abducting Ukrainian children.

Advertisement

In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly denied Ukraine’s accusations – but a number international experts and organisations point to a growing evidence that Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Advertisement

 

The Ukrainian president went on to warn against “shady deals” to try to end the war – the biggest in Europe since World War Two – on unfair terms.

Advertisement

But his key point was to warn the international community that the outcome of the war would affect everyone.

Russia’s goal, he said, was to turn Ukraine into “a weapon against you, against the rules based international order”.

Advertisement

The peace formula that he had been outlining for months was, he said, not just for Ukraine, but also the rest of the world.

So the pitch was clear and aimed squarely at countries – many of them in the so-called “Global South” including Brazil and India – which have thus far stayed on the side lines.

Advertisement
IMAGE SOURCE,EPA
Image caption,
President Zelensky accused Russia of weaponising everything from food to energy

A number of nations have even strengthened their economic ties with the Kremlin.

Western powers have been rushing around the UN trying to address those countries’ wider concerns about development issues and climate change.

Advertisement

Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader applauded Joe Biden’s speech, in which his US counterpart warned of grave consequences if Russia’s aggression was not stopped.

“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?” Mr Biden said.

Advertisement

President Putin is not attending this year’s General Assembly.

Advertisement
Oluchi Nzekwe

Recent Posts

Tinubu promotes Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede to Lt Gen

President Bola Tinubu has promoted the acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede to the…

38 mins ago

Digital Transformation: Maida, Kekere-Ekun Speak At NCC’s Annual Workshop for Judges in Lagos

Welcome Address Delivered at the 2024 Edition of the Judges Workshop at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja,…

6 hours ago

Breaking: House Of Reps Finance Committee Visits FIRS

The House of Representatives Finance Committee has paid a working visit to the headquarters of…

8 hours ago

BREAKING: Tinubu govt drops treason charges against EndBadGovernance protesters

  The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the treason charges brought against the…

12 hours ago

#USRoadToWhiteHouse2024: Trump-Harris polls remain tied in battleground states…

What to know about the end of the #USElection2024 campaign The most recent polling analysis…

12 hours ago

#USElection2024 Live Updates: Trump Vs Harris…Latest Results…Latest Polls

#US election 2024 Live Updates:  What you need to know about USelection2024 latest polls •…

12 hours ago