dePresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday warned world leaders that the planet is in “the most destructive arms race in history” and urged immediate action to stop Russia, saying President Vladimir Putin aims to expand his war across Europe.
“We are now living through the most destructive arms race in history,” Zelenskyy told the U.N. General Assembly. “Ukraine is only the first and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries, and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.”
His remarks came a day after meeting US President Donald Trump, who voiced support for Ukraine and sharply criticized Russia. Trump said Tuesday he believes Ukraine can regain all territory seized by Moscow—a striking departure from his earlier calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the conflict.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly 's 80th session, Zelenskyy said that there is no ceasefire because Russia refused to do so.
"As Russia’s war against my country goes on, people are still dying every week, yet there is no ceasefire because Russia refuses ," Zelenskyy said and added, "Russia abducted thousands of Ukrainian children, and we have brought some of them back. And I thank, I thank everyone who’s helped. But how long will it take to bring all of them whom childhood slips away faster than adults are able to help?”
He returned repeatedly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, declaring that “every year that this war goes on, weapons become even more deadly, and only Russia deserves to be blamed for this.” He described how Ukraine has had to build “underground schools and underground hospitals” and train farmers to shield their equipment from drone strikes.
“Russia’s war has put us in this situation. But do you have protection against similar threats?” he asked, warning that “stopping this war now and within the global arms race is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers for critical infrastructure later.”
“Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port and every ship from terrorists with sea drones. Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the force to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead,” he continued.
He urged leaders to “use everything we have together to force the aggressor to stop and only then we have a real chance that this arms race will not end in catastrophe for all of us. If it takes weapons to do it, if it takes pressure on Russia, then it must be done, and it must be done now. Otherwise, Putin will keep driving the war forward wider and deeper. And we told you before, Ukraine is only the first.”
Zelenskyy argued that “if security guarantees work for Ukraine, something more than just friends and weapons, it will mean that people were able to make national security not a privilege for a few nations, but a right for everyone.”
He thanked former US president Donald Trump for his support after their talks on Tuesday and ended on a direct appeal: “So don’t stay silent while Russia keeps dragging this war on. Please speak out and condemn it. Please join us in defending and international law and order. People are waiting for action.”
He linked the rise of new weaponry to the “collapse of international law and the weakness of the international institutions,” citing Afghanistan and Latin American cartels. Paying tribute to Trump, he said “only God saved him from a murder attempt during the campaign,” and noted the recent killing of Charlie Kirk in the US and of Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska in the US.
He warned that “war tech doesn’t care about geography any more,” referencing the temporary closure of Copenhagen airport because of drones. “Authorities couldn’t even say what kind of drones they were, who sent them or from where,” he said.
“We are now living through the most destructive arms race in history,” Zelenskyy told the U.N. General Assembly. “Ukraine is only the first and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries, and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.”
His remarks came a day after meeting US President Donald Trump, who voiced support for Ukraine and sharply criticized Russia. Trump said Tuesday he believes Ukraine can regain all territory seized by Moscow—a striking departure from his earlier calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the conflict.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly 's 80th session, Zelenskyy said that there is no ceasefire because Russia refused to do so.
"As Russia’s war against my country goes on, people are still dying every week, yet there is no ceasefire because Russia refuses ," Zelenskyy said and added, "Russia abducted thousands of Ukrainian children, and we have brought some of them back. And I thank, I thank everyone who’s helped. But how long will it take to bring all of them whom childhood slips away faster than adults are able to help?”
VIDEO | New York, USA: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing the 80th UNGA General Debate, said:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 24, 2025
"As Russia’s war against my country continues, people are still dying every week. Yet, there is no ceasefire because Russia refuses. Russia abducted thousands of… pic.twitter.com/k7Pk6XRIf6
He returned repeatedly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, declaring that “every year that this war goes on, weapons become even more deadly, and only Russia deserves to be blamed for this.” He described how Ukraine has had to build “underground schools and underground hospitals” and train farmers to shield their equipment from drone strikes.
“Russia’s war has put us in this situation. But do you have protection against similar threats?” he asked, warning that “stopping this war now and within the global arms race is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers for critical infrastructure later.”
“Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port and every ship from terrorists with sea drones. Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the force to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead,” he continued.
He urged leaders to “use everything we have together to force the aggressor to stop and only then we have a real chance that this arms race will not end in catastrophe for all of us. If it takes weapons to do it, if it takes pressure on Russia, then it must be done, and it must be done now. Otherwise, Putin will keep driving the war forward wider and deeper. And we told you before, Ukraine is only the first.”
Zelenskyy argued that “if security guarantees work for Ukraine, something more than just friends and weapons, it will mean that people were able to make national security not a privilege for a few nations, but a right for everyone.”
He thanked former US president Donald Trump for his support after their talks on Tuesday and ended on a direct appeal: “So don’t stay silent while Russia keeps dragging this war on. Please speak out and condemn it. Please join us in defending and international law and order. People are waiting for action.”
VIDEO | New York, USA: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing the 80th UNGA General Debate, said:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 24, 2025
"Yesterday, we had a good meeting with US President Donald Trump and I have also spoken with many other strong leaders. Of course we are doing everything to make sure… pic.twitter.com/tbrcXFitS6
He linked the rise of new weaponry to the “collapse of international law and the weakness of the international institutions,” citing Afghanistan and Latin American cartels. Paying tribute to Trump, he said “only God saved him from a murder attempt during the campaign,” and noted the recent killing of Charlie Kirk in the US and of Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska in the US.
He warned that “war tech doesn’t care about geography any more,” referencing the temporary closure of Copenhagen airport because of drones. “Authorities couldn’t even say what kind of drones they were, who sent them or from where,” he said.
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