During his speech on Tuesday, September 19, at the UN General Assembly, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the world to unite in the face of the aggressor, emphasizing that every war now could be the last.
Here are the main points of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech:
About the Ukrainian formula for peace
Last year, I presented the Ukrainian formula for peace. It became the basis for updating the existing security architecture. Now we can restore the UN Charter and guarantee the full force of the rules-based world order. Tomorrow I will present the details at a special meeting of the UN Security Council.
The formula is not just about Ukraine. More than 140 states and international organizations have fully or partially endorsed it. It offers solutions and steps that will stop all forms of weaponization that Russia has used against Ukraine and other countries and that could be used by other aggressors.
Important negotiations and consultations on the implementation of the Peace Formula took place in Hiroshima, Copenhagen and Jeddah. And we are preparing the Global Peace Summit. I invite all of you – all of you who do not tolerate any aggression – to join us in preparing the Summit.
On the nuclear threat from Russia
Ukraine gave up its third largest nuclear arsenal. At the time, the world decided that Russia should become the custodian of such power. But further history has proven that it was Russia that most deserved nuclear disarmament back in the 1990s. Russia deserves disarmament now as well: terrorists have no right to possess nuclear weapons.
<...> Today, more than ever, humanity must act in full solidarity to save human lives. As nuclear weapons are restrained, so must the aggressor and all its instruments and methods of war. Every war now may be the last, but we need our unity to ensure that aggression does not break in again. And it is not a dialogue between the so-called "great powers" somewhere behind closed doors that can guarantee us all a new era without wars, but open work of all countries in the name of peace.
On Russia's blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports
Since the beginning of its full-scale aggression, Russia has blocked our Black Sea and Azov seaports. Our ports on the Danube are still being targeted by its missiles and drones. Russia is trying to use food shortages on the world market as a weapon in exchange for recognizing the occupation of some – if not all – of the seized territories. Russia is using food prices as a weapon.
On the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain by European countries
We have launched a temporary export corridor in the Black Sea. We are working to preserve land routes. It is disturbing to see how some in Europe are undermining solidarity and staging political theater by making a thriller out of grain. It may seem like they are playing their own role, but instead they are helping to set the stage for the Moscow actor.
On Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children
Unfortunately, various terrorist groups have kidnapped children before, but never before have mass abductions and deportations become part of state policy. Until now. Kidnapped Ukrainian children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are severed. This is genocide.
On attempts to conclude shadow deals behind Ukraine's back
I am aware of attempts to conclude some shady deals behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if we should trust Putin's promises. Please hear me out. Let unity decide everything openly.
Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that no one in the world dares to attack any country after the Russian aggression. Turning into a weapon must be restrained. War crimes must be punished. Deported people must return home. And the occupier must return to its own territory.
On the danger of Russian aggression for the world order
When hatred becomes a weapon against one nation, it never stops there. Every decade, Russia starts a new war. Parts of Moldova and Georgia remain occupied. russia has turned Syria into ruins. And if it were not for Russia, chemical weapons would never have been used there in Syria. russia has almost absorbed Belarus. Obviously, this threatens Kazakhstan and the Baltic states... And the purpose of the current war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our resources into a weapon against you – against the international rules-based order.
Many seats in the General Assembly hall could be empty if Russia succeeds.
Background. Read more about the importance of this year's UN General Assembly and why it is being held in a somewhat truncated form in Mind's article "UN General Assembly begins its work. Who will come and what will be discussed this week in New York?"