Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the UN General Assembly, expressing concerns about Russia’s multifaceted approach to aggression.
He stated that in addition to the ongoing nuclear threat, Russia is weaponizing vital resources such as global food and energy markets. Zelensky warned that these tactics are not only impacting Ukraine but also affecting other countries.
Furthermore, he pointed out that since the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine’s ports in the Black and Azov seas have been blockaded by Russia, and its ports along the Danube River have been targeted by drones and missiles.
“It is a clear Russian attempt to weaponise the food shortage on the global market, in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, of the captured territories.”
He said the impact of that weaponisation could be seen from Africa to South-East Asia.
“Nukes are not the scariest thing now. Mass destruction is gaining momentum. The aggressor is weaponizing many other things … things that are being used not only against our country but also yours as well.” He said
In addition, the President stated that there were several conventions against weapons but none against weaponization… of world food resources and energy.
While Russia opposes the Black maritime Initiative, Ukraine continues to support it in order to secure world food security by launching a temporary maritime corridor from its ports and striving to safeguard land routes for grain exports.
He went on to say that Russia was committing genocide by mass kidnapping and deporting Ukrainian children.
He said that the children were trained to despise Ukraine and had all ties with their Russian families severed.
“When hatred is weaponised against one nation, it never stops there,” he said.
He stated that he would offer a Ukrainian peace formula to the Security Council on Wednesday to serve as a framework for an open end to aggression on conditions chosen by the victimised country.
While urging unity among countries, Zelenskyy said that while Russia is “pushing the world to the final war”, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after this Russian aggression, “no one in the world will dare to attack any nation.”
“Every nation must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home, and the occupier must return to their own land.” He said
