In a powerful address to the United Nations Security Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that the war between Russia and Ukraine cannot be resolved solely through negotiations. He insisted that Moscow must be compelled to seek peace, advocating for a “victory plan” that requires the backing of Western leaders. This plan, according to Zelenskyy, would serve as a bridge to a future Ukraine-led peace summit, inviting Russia to participate later this year.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the war would eventually end, but not due to fatigue or a simple trade with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He firmly rejected the notion of ceding territory to Russia as a means of ending the conflict. “This war can’t be calmed by talks. Action is needed,” Zelenskyy stated, expressing gratitude to nations supporting Ukraine. He asserted that Russia’s actions necessitate a forceful approach to achieve peace. “Putin has broken so many international norms and rules that he won’t stop on his own,” Zelenskyy declared. “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.”
Zelenskyy also leveled criticism at North Korea and Iran for providing arms to Russia, branding them “de facto accomplices” in the conflict. He further accused China of supplying Russia with essential resources to sustain its war machine, stating that China is the “top provider of machine tools, microelectronics and other items that Russia is using to rebuild, to restock, to ramp up its war machine and sustain its brutal aggression.” China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi refuted these claims, asserting that Beijing’s support for Russia does not contribute to the ongoing war.
The meeting saw a tense exchange between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia. Blinken directly addressed China’s role, while Nebenzia dismissed the meeting as a platform for Ukraine’s “hackneyed” issues.
The future of Ukraine remains uncertain, with the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election potentially influencing Washington’s policy on Ukraine, which heavily relies on American military and financial support.
Despite the ongoing war, Russia controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, making significant advances in the east. Zelenskyy believes that his proposed plan, if endorsed by the West, could significantly impact Russia, both psychologically and strategically, potentially persuading Putin to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
