Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Presents His Peace Formula at UN

UNITED NATIONS – In a speech less bellicose than he is known for, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his UN General Assembly address today focused on securing global peace and justice, emphasizing that neither can exist without an independent and sovereign Ukraine.

“I want peace for my people – real peace and just peace. And I’m asking for your support – from all nations of the world. We do not divide the world. I ask the same of you – do not divide the world. Be united Nations, and that will bring us peace,” Zelenskyy said during his whirlwind political tour of New York City and other neighboring towns to build positive momentum for Peace Formula.

In his nearly 20-minute speech, Zelenskyy pointed out that no amount of Russian rockets will break Ukrainians’ spirit.

“Since Russia can’t defeat our people’s resistance on the battlefield, Putin is looking for other ways to break the Ukrainian spirit. One of his methods is targeting our energy infrastructure. These are deliberate Russian attacks on our power plants, and the entire energy grid. As of today, Russia has destroyed all our thermal power plants and a large part of our hydroelectric capacity. This is how Putin is preparing for winter – hoping to torment millions, millions of Ukrainians… Ordinary families – women, children… Ordinary towns, ordinary villages. Putin wants to leave them in the dark and cold this winter, forcing Ukraine to suffer and surrender. Just imagine, please, your country with 80 percent of its energy system gone – with such a destroyed part of the system. What kind of life would that be?” he said

However, Zelenskyy pointed out, it’s important for him that all of the people “understand that Ukraine wants to end this war more than anyone in the world."

War poses a wide range of threats to the population, notably children, he continued, due to missiles, smoke, and – God forbid, he added – nuclear fallout. “If, God forbid, Russia causes a nuclear disaster at one of our nuclear power plants, radiation won’t respect state borders, and unfortunately, various nations could feel the devastating effects. Many are concerned, but the deepest understanding of war is always found in the home it destroys,” Zelenskyy said.

“It is the Ukrainian people who feel the full pain of this war. It’s Ukrainian children who are learning to distinguish the sounds of different types of artillery and drones because of Russia’s war. It’s our people who are forcefully separated by occupation because Putin decided he could do whatever he wants. It’s our heroic soldiers who are giving their lives to defend our country from invaders trying to steal our land. That’s why we say, rightfully so – there can be no just peace without Ukraine.

“And I thank every leader, every country that supports us in this, that understands us – that sees how Russia, a country more than twenty times larger than Ukraine in territory, still wants even more land, more land – which is insane – and is seizing it, day by day, while wanting to destroy its neighbor. And Russia found very special buddies for that – North Korea and Iran, a telling choice of friends. Now every neighbor of Russia in Europe and Central Asia feels that the war could come to them as well, and just think – what kind of losses that would mean for the world.”

Addressing the bureaucratic mechanisms of the UN, Zelenskyy criticized the existence of the oppressive veto: “These are different, absolutely, parts of the world and various political ways of life, but they share the same understanding – peace is needed, and it must be a real, just peace.

“Unfortunately, at the UN, it’s impossible to truly and fairly resolve matters of war and peace because too much depends in the Security Council on the veto power. When the aggressor exercises veto power, the UN is powerless to stop the war. But the Peace Formula can – once again, there is no veto power in it. That’s why it’s the best opportunity for peace – everyone is equal, and it’s effective and comprehensive.”

Zelenskyy summarized the demands of his Peace Formula in this manner:

“We must restore nuclear safety.

“Energy must stop being used as a weapon.

“We must ensure food security.

“We need to bring home all our captured soldiers and civilians forcibly deported to Russia.

“We must uphold the UN Charter and guarantee our right – Ukraine’s right – to territorial integrity and sovereignty, just as we do for any other nation.

“We need to withdraw the Russian occupiers, which will bring an end to the hostilities in Ukraine.

“We must hold those responsible for war crimes accountable.

“We need to prevent ecocide and stop the destruction of nature caused by the war.

“And we must not allow a second or third phase of this Russian invasion.

“And we need to make it clear – the war is over.”

It’s that simple but Russia isn’t in favor of it.