Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that 'Ukraine did not choose this war,' warning delegates that Russia's Vladimir Putin would pursue further cities beyond Donetsk. His speech came on the second day of UNGA in New York.
Key facts
- Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that 'Ukraine did not choose this war'.
- He claimed Putin will come for other cities after Donetsk.
- Smoke was seen rising in central Kyiv after a Russian drone attack the same morning, Reuters reported.
- The second day of UNGA also featured speeches from leaders of Syria, Iran and European nations.
- US President Donald Trump and China's Xi were set to meet later.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his country’s case to the United Nations General Assembly, telling delegates that ‘Ukraine did not choose this war,’ according to the Guardian’s live coverage. During his appearance, he reminded the assembly of the scale and impact of the war in Ukraine.
In his address, Zelenskyy claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would come for other cities after Donetsk, framing the conflict as a threat extending beyond current front lines.
The speech came just hours after a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian capital. Smoke was seen rising in central Kyiv after the attack that morning, the Guardian reported, citing Reuters. Ahead of the address, there had been no public comment from Zelenskyy or Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha on the latest attacks.
Zelenskyy spoke on the second day of the UN General Assembly in New York, which featured speeches from a range of world leaders. According to Al Jazeera, the day’s programme included addresses from the leaders of Syria, Iran and Ukraine.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian was scheduled to address the assembly before Zelenskyy took the stage, the Guardian noted, alongside speeches from several European leaders.
The day was also set to include a later meeting between US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi, according to the Guardian’s coverage of the summit.
Why it matters
Zelenskyy's UN appearance is a key moment for Ukraine to rally international support amid continued Russian attacks. His warning that Russia could target additional cities underscores the stakes for the broader region and for global diplomacy at the General Assembly.
Frequently asked questions
What did Zelenskyy say at the UN General Assembly?
According to the Guardian, Zelenskyy told delegates that 'Ukraine did not choose this war' and claimed that Putin would come for other cities after Donetsk, while reminding the assembly of the scale and impact of the war.
Was there an attack on Kyiv around the time of the speech?
Yes. The Guardian, citing Reuters, reported that smoke was seen rising in central Kyiv after a Russian drone attack that morning, hours before Zelenskyy's address.
Who else spoke on the same day at UNGA?
Al Jazeera reported that the second day featured speeches from leaders including those of Syria, Iran and Ukraine, with Iran's President Pezeshkian speaking before Zelenskyy.