Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned world leaders they are witnessing the “most destructive arms race in human history” as he appealed for more support to quell Russia’s expansionist goals.
A day after US President Donald Trump spectacularly backflipped to say he now thinks Ukraine can win the war, Mr Zelenskyy told foreign leaders it was in their interests to help.
In a speech at the UN’s General Assembly, he said recent incursions by Russian drones into several European countries only emphasised Ukraine’s need for more weapons, and the wider threats Russia posed to the world.
“We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
He called for global action to regulate the twin threats posed by drone technology and artificial intelligence, which are both rapidly developing and being weaponised.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells world leaders they are living through the most destructive arms race in history. (Reuters: Shannon Stapleton)
“Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port and every ship from terrorists with sea drones,” he said.
“Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead.”
Earlier this month, Poland said about 20 Russian drones were detected in its airspace, prompting NATO jets to shoot some of them down.
And last week, Estonia said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes before NATO Italian fighter jets escorted them out.
“Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
“And no-one can feel safe right now.”
Donald Trump says he now believes Ukraine can win back all territory lost to Russia with NATO’s help. (AP: Evan Vucci)
He sounded a particular warning about the former soviet state of Moldova, whose prime minister has accused Russia of spending hundreds of millions of euros to influence its upcoming parliamentary elections and “take power”.
Mr Zelenskyy called on the EU to help Moldova with funding and energy support. Europe had failed to stop Belarus and Georgia from becoming “dependent” on Russia, he said, and “cannot afford to lose Moldova too”.
‘Weapons decide who survives’
On Tuesday, local time, Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Trump spoke on the sidelines of the UN summit.
The US president has previously argued Ukraine should “make a deal” to end the war, which would involve the surrendering of territory.
But after Tuesday’s meeting, he used social media to say Ukraine could win its lost land back.
“With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option,” Mr Trump wrote.
Also on Tuesday, Mr Zelenskyy reminded the UN Security Council of a 1994 agreement in which Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear arsenal. It was one of the few countries to do so after the Cold War.
In exchange, the US, the UK and Russia pledged to support Ukraine’s security.
Donald Trump’s new stance on Ukraine
This agreement, Mr Zelenskyy said, was evidence of how “international promises can turn into blabbering”.
In his speech on Wednesday, he levelled a similar criticism at the UN to one made the previous day by Mr Trump, who said its response to global conflict was to “write a strongly worded letter” that was never followed up.
“Nations can speak about their pain from stages like this,” Mr Zelenskyy told the general assembly.
“But even during bloodshed, there isn’t a single international institution that can truly stop it. That’s how weak these institutions have become.
“What can Sudan or Somalia or Palestine or any other people living through war really expect from the UN or the global system? For decades, just statements and statements.”
In the absence of effective international law, “weapons decide who survives”, he said.
“International law doesn’t work fully unless you have powerful friends who are truly willing to stand up for it. And even that doesn’t work without weapons.”
