International Selensky: Russia must be forced to make peace
In a combative speech to the UN Security Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi called on his allies to bring Moscow to its knees on the battlefield.
25.09.2024, 01:21
SDA
This war cannot be calmed by talks," said Zelenskyi at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Debate. He added: "Action must be taken." Russian President Vladimir Putin "has broken so many international laws and rules that he will not stop on his own. Russia can only be forced to make peace, and that is exactly what is needed," said Selensky.
Selensky was extremely skeptical about negotiating an end to the ongoing war of aggression against his country with Russia. Russia is committing an international crime, he said. "That is why this war cannot simply disappear. In her speech, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock outlined the key points for possible peace negotiations.
While the Ukrainian was speaking, the Russian ambassador Vasily Nebensya demonstratively leafed through his documents and looked at his cell phone. In his speech, the Russian representative mocked Zelenskyi: the former actor was "playing the role of the cool guy." Under him, Ukraine had become a "one-man dictatorship". On the battlefield, the Ukrainian army was on the verge of complete collapse. The Ukrainian didn't even hear that - he had left the room about an hour earlier.
"War cannot be calmed by talks"
Selensky thanked "all nations that are really helping in a way that saves the lives of our people". He knew "that some people in the world want to talk to Putin", said the President. "But what could they possibly hear from him? That he is angry because we are exercising our right to defend our people? Or that he wants to continue the war and terror just so no one thinks he's wrong?" This is crazy. Putin has "broken so many international norms and rules that he will not stop of his own accord", said Selensky.
Prior to his trip to the USA, Zelenskyi had raised expectations of a "victory plan" that he had been announcing for weeks, the details of which he first wanted to present to US President Joe Biden. According to a report in the British newspaper "The Times", it contains the demand for Western security guarantees similar to those of NATO membership. In addition, unspecified specific weapons and further financial aid are to be requested. Selensky is due to address the General Assembly this morning (local time).
Baerbock: Peace must guarantee Ukraine as a free and independent country
"Peace means that Ukraine's existence as a free and independent country is guaranteed. It means security guarantees," said Foreign Minister Baerbock on her presentation for an end to the war at the UN Security Council meeting. "When we talk about peace, we mean that it must be a just and lasting peace," emphasized the Green politician. She added: "When we talk about peace, it means that Ukraine can be sure that the end of the fighting does not mean another round of preparations in Russia". This applies to Ukraine as well as Moldova and Poland. Peace must be just and lasting.
Great Britain: Russia is a mafia state
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Putin directly and said to the camera: "Your invasion serves your own interests, yours alone, to expand your mafia state into a mafia empire, an empire built on corruption that is robbing the Russian people just like Ukraine". This Putin empire is based on lies and spreads disinformation at home and abroad to create unrest.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for more decisive action against Russia's supporters in the Ukraine war and urged compliance with the principles of the UN Charter. France's new Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that there should be no impunity for the crimes committed by Russia.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for more efforts to be made towards peace negotiations in Ukraine. "The most urgent priority is to adhere to three principles: no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting and no provocation by any party". The more weapons are sent to the battlefields, the more difficult it will be to achieve the goal of a ceasefire.
