In brief
During his address at the United Nations General Assembly, President Zelensky of Ukraine cautioned that Vladimir Putin's ambitions could extend beyond Ukraine unless the global community presents a united front and increases military assistance. He emphasized the dangers posed by a global arms race and advocated for international regulations on AI in weaponry. Zelensky also criticized international institutions for their inability to ensure safety, urging stronger commitments from allies to counteract Russian expansionism, with specific reference to threats against Moldova and the historical missteps regarding Georgia and Belarus.
Vladimir Putin will keep driving the war forward wider and deeper if he is not stopped, Ukraine's President Zelensky has warned.
Speaking at the UN's General Assembly in New York, Zelensky said more countries would be met with Russian aggression unless allies displayed a united front and ramped up support.
He said all nations were threatened by a global arms race, as military technology advances, adding that weapons decide who survives and calling for global rules on AI.
His comments come after US President Donald Trump shifted his position on the Russia-Ukraine war, saying for the first time that Ukraine could win back all of its land.
Zelensky criticised international institutions, suggesting they are too weak to offer Ukraine safety guarantees, adding - in apparent reference to Nato - that being part of a long-standing military alliance doesn't automatically mean you are safe.
We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history, he said.
He argued that stopping Russia now was cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead.
Zelensky called for international rules around AI and its role in weaponry, highlighting the risks presented by the development of autonomous drones and unmanned planes.
The Ukrainian leader also warned that Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova - which lies between Ukraine and EU-member Romania - to Russian influence. He said the West had missed a chance to save Georgia and Belarus from Putin's orbit.
On the backdrop of ongoing tensions, Zelensky revealed that recent incidents involving violations of airspace by Russian jets prompted requests for consultations from Estonia and Poland with NATO.
Zelensky praised Trump for his recognition of Ukraine's territorial integrity and mentioned potential US security guarantees for Ukraine post-war.
As the international community grapples with the implications of a shifting geopolitical landscape, Zelensky's plea for unity and action resonates as a call to arms for a concerted effort against expanding Russian ambitions.
