Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky accused Russia of “genocide” on Tuesday and called on the world to unite to confront his country’s aggression and ensure it does not happen again. The accusation and appeal were made in English from the podium of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, from where he spoke in person for the first time since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. President Joe Biden had already defended the need to “confront this blatant aggression today to deter other potential aggressors tomorrow.”
The intervention of the Ukrainian president, who was allowed to send a video message last year, was one of the most anticipated of the day. Zelensky drew applause as he took the stand, and the applause lasted about 30 seconds as he ended his speech saying he hoped the war in Ukraine would be the last in the world and with a “Glory to Ukraine” in his native language.
Before that, he spoke about the Ukrainian peace plan, the broad outlines of which he presented last year and which will already have the support of 140 countries. “For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation that was attacked.”, he said, promising to further develop the topic at next Wednesday’s Security Council meeting. This should be the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, which could be the Ukrainian president’s first face-to-face contact with a senior Russian official since the invasion.
Zelensky began his intervention by recalling that he had spent years investing in nuclear disarmament, under the assumption that the next major war would come from access to these weapons. The Ukrainian president defended that this is a good strategy, but “it should not be the only one”, explaining that Ukraine decided to give up its nuclear arsenal – at the time the third largest – after which the world could decide that “ Russia be the protector of such power.” History “shows that it was Russia that deserved nuclear disarmament in the 1990s,” and reiterates that “terrorists have no right to nuclear weapons.”
Zelensky later accused Moscow of turning food and energy into weapons that could affect not only Ukraine but the rest of the world. The accusations were heard by Russia’s number two at the UN, Ambassador Dimitry Polyanskiy, who took his place, took notes and smiled.
Zelensky also talked about how in the past children were kidnapped by terrorists, but during the war in Ukraine this practice became Russian state policy, denouncing the fact that tens of thousands of Ukrainian children were kidnapped and taken to Russia. “These children are taught to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are severed. This is clearly genocide,” he said.
Zelensky made that clear too “You can’t trust evil,” speaking about Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding: “just ask Prigozhin”. The Ukrainian was referring to Wagner Group leader Yevgneny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash two months after a mutiny against the Russian military leadership. Putin is not in New York to respond to Zelensky, as Lavrov’s intervention on behalf of Russia is not scheduled until Saturday.
“Bland aggression”
Before Zelensky, several world leaders had referred to the war. “Russia believes that the world will grow tired and allow Ukraine to be brutalized without consequences. But I ask you this: if we give up the fundamental principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any Member State be confident that it will be protected? If we allow Ukraine to be divided, will the independence of any country be guaranteed?” Biden asked in his speech. “The answer is no. We must confront this blatant aggression today to deter other potential attackers tomorrow’, he defended and promised to continue alongside the Ukrainian people.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva was, as usual, the first head of state to speak. Fourteen years later, he returned to the General Assembly podium and reiterated that “Brazil is back.” As for Ukraine, he argued that the war “exposed our collective inability to enforce the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.” He asked not to underestimate the difficulties in achieving peace, recalling that “no solution will be sustainable if it is not based on dialogue” and regretting that more money is spent on weapons than on development. Today the intention is to meet Zelensky for the first time.
Polish President Andrzej Duda attacked and defended Russia “This brutal war must end and not become a frozen conflict.” And he delivered the same message as Biden: “Today, Ukraine is the victim. Tomorrow it could be any of us.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the first to speak at the General Assembly, also referred to the war, saying it had created a “nexus of horror” that affected not only Ukraine but the entire world. He said the war is “proof” that when countries fail to fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter “they create a world of uncertainty for everyone”. And he drew applause when he said he will not abandon his efforts to return to the agreement that allows grains from the Black Sea.
Reform of institutions
Guterres also gave a negative view of today’s world, citing “existential threats” such as climate change or disruptive technologies. “Our world is falling out of balance. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are increasing. And we seem unable to come together to respond.”said the Portuguese, who spoke English, French and Spanish.
Guterres also defended multilateralism, recalling that it needs “effective institutions” and lamenting that “global governance is stuck in time.” The Secretary General gave the concrete example of the Security Council, which many believe needs to be reformed: “The world is bigger than five,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would later say on the stand.
“The world has changed. Our institutions do not,” Guterres said. “We cannot effectively solve the problems as they are if institutions do not reflect the world as it is. Instead of solving problems, they risk becoming part of the problem,” he indicated. “I am under no illusions. Reform is a matter of power. I know there are many competing interests and agendas. But the alternative to reform is not the status quo. The alternative to reform is greater fragmentation. It is reform or disruption. “he warned.
Source: DN
