During the general debate before the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “weapons determine survival” and that, in this context, “the most destructive arms race in history is taking place.”
“Today, no one but ourselves can guarantee our security. Only strong alliances. Only strong partners and only our own weapons. Even the 21st century is not significantly different from the past. If a country wants peace, it must continue to work on developing weapons,” Zelensky said in his speech, which he delivered in English.
“Excellencies, you know very well that international law does not fully function if you do not have powerful friends who are truly willing to defend it. And without weapons, it does not work either,” he added on the issue of militarization.
NATO is no guarantee
“Even during the current bloodshed, there is not a single international institution that could really stop it,” he said.
“That's how weak these institutions have become. What can Sudan, Somalia, Palestine, or any other war-torn state really expect from the UN or the global system? For decades, only declarations and declarations. And even for everything that is happening in Gaza, there is no solution,” he explained.
Even membership in the North Atlantic Alliance does not mean complete security, according to Zelensky, as evidenced by the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.
The Ukrainian president also stated in his speech that only powerful countries that can exert influence can guarantee peace and compliance with international law.
Dangerous drones
Selenskyj also spoke to the UN about how drones are threatening the security of states—both now and in the near future.
“Military technologies no longer take geography into account. Today, they change it. Just recently, airports in Europe had to be closed because of drones,” he said, referring to an incident at the airport in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“The authorities couldn't even say what kind of drones they were, who sent them, or where they came from,” said the Ukrainian president, adding that he believes the situation will only get worse.
“The world is moving too slowly to protect itself, while weapons are advancing rapidly. Companies are already working on drones that can shoot down other drones,” said the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces.
And the time when “drones fight drones, attack critical infrastructure, and target people completely independently, completely autonomously, without any human involvement, except for a few who control the artificial intelligence systems” is, in his opinion, already near. Therefore, in his opinion, unmanned aircraft are crucial for Ukraine's defense in the war with Russia.
Zelensky also repeated his words that “Ukraine is only the first in line,” further referring to Russian drones flying “over Europe.”
"Russian operations are already spreading to other countries. And Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it. No one can feel safe now,“ the Ukrainian leader said.
Meeting with Trump
Volodymyr Zelensky also highlighted his conversation with his American counterpart Donald Trump on September 23: ”I have also spoken with many other strong leaders—and together we can change a lot."
“Of course, we are doing everything we can to ensure that Europe really helps, and of course we are relying on the United States,” he revealed, emphasizing that he greatly appreciates the support Ukraine is receiving.
In his opinion, much depends on the G7 and the G20. “But ultimately, peace depends on all of us, on the UN. So don't remain silent while Russia continues this war. Please speak out and condemn it.”
Conclusive Moldova
In relation to Russia, Selenskyj believes it is important that Europe does not lose Moldova to the Kremlin. In his opinion, this country could follow the example of Belarus and Georgia in such a case.
"Russia is trying to do to Moldova what Iran once did to Lebanon, and once again the global response is inadequate. In Europe, we have already lost Georgia... and for many years, Belarus has also been moving toward dependence on Russia. Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova as well," said the Ukrainian president.
(reuters, tasr)