'Russia Can Only Be Forced into Peace': Zelenskyy Tells UNSC Ukraine War Cannot Be Resolved by Talks Alone

Sept. 25, 2024, 12:19 p.m.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, stating that the war between Russia and Ukraine cannot be resolved through talks alone, and that Moscow must be compelled to make peace.

Zelenskyy has sought the support of Western leaders for what he calls a “victory plan” to end the war that began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his country in February 2022.

Zelenskyy said the war would end one day but not because “someone got tired of the war” or through a trade with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a reference to proposals that Ukraine cede some territory seized by Russia to settle the conflict.

Advertisement “This war can’t be calmed by talks. Action is needed,” Zelenskyy said, thanking nations who have provided Ukraine support.

“Putin has broken so many international norms and rules that he won’t stop on his own, Russia can only be forced into peace, and that is exactly what’s needed, forcing Russia into peace, as the sole aggressor in this war, the sole violator of the UN Charter,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy took aim at North Korea and Iran for providing arms to Russia for the war, calling them “de facto accomplices” of Moscow.

Ukraine faces an uncertain future. A victory by former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 US election could prompt a reset of Washington’s policy on Ukraine, which relies heavily on US military and financial support. Opinion polls show a tight US race.

Over two and a half years since the invasion, Russia controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory and has been making advancements in the east.

Zelenskyy has stated that if his plan is backed by the West, it will have a significant impact on Moscow, including a psychological one that could potentially persuade Putin to end the war through diplomacy.

Zelenskiy has offered little detail about his victory plan so far except that it will serve as a stepping stone to a second summit on peace led by Ukraine, which Kyiv hopes to hold and invite Russia to participate in later this year.

Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia spoke up at the meeting to reject the 15-member council’s hosting of Zelenskiy.

Advertisement “Western countries could not refrain from poisoning the atmosphere once again, trying to fill the air time with the hackneyed Ukrainian issue,” Nebenzia said of the meeting.

The top diplomats of China and the United States also had a disagreement at the meeting.

“North Korea and Iran are not the only ones aiding and abetting Russia,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the council. “China - another permanent member of this council - is the top provider of machine tools, microelectronics and other items that Russia is using to rebuild, to restock, to ramp up its war machine and sustain its brutal aggression.”

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected US accusations that Beijing’s support for Russia was allowing it to continue its war in Ukraine.

Advertisement “I wish to make it clear that on the Ukraine issue, any move to shift responsibility onto China, or attack and smear China, is irresponsible and will lead nowhere,” he told the council.