Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on UN member nations to support his country’s peace plan as the only option to stop Russia’s military aggression.
Zelenskyy told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday that Russia cannot defeat the resistance of the Ukrainian people on the battlefield and therefore President Vladimir Putin is “looking for other ways to break the Ukrainian spirit.”
He added that one of Putin’s methods is targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He noted that Russian attacks have destroyed all thermal power plants in Ukraine and a large part of its hydroelectric capacity.
Zelenskyy strongly criticized Russia, saying Putin wants to leave the Ukrainian people “in the dark and cold this winter, forcing Ukraine to suffer and surrender.”
The Ukrainian president described Russia — one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council — as “the aggressor” and said that when it exercises veto power, the UN is powerless to stop the war.
He stressed that only Ukraine’s proposed peace plan, which includes the restoration of Ukraine’s territory and the withdrawal of Russian troops, can stop Russia’s invasion.
In May, China and Brazil announced their own peace plan for Ukraine. But Zelenskyy said the proposal raises the question of “what is the true interest?” He went on to say, “Everyone must understand you won’t boost your power at Ukraine’s expense.”