Zelenskyy’s Address to the UN Security Council – Main Highlights

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address to the United Nations Security Council. 

The Gaze reports this, referring to the Office of the President of Ukraine.

In a speech that touched on Russia’s tactics, China’s role, U.S. involvement, and the need for a new global security framework, Zelenskyy urged world powers to “act together” to stop Moscow’s aggression.

Russia’s Conduct and Refusal to Negotiate

Zelenskyy described Russia as the sole permanent member of the Council openly undermining the UN Charter, saying President Vladimir Putin had no interest in peace. 

“Every day Russia kills our people, destroys our cities, and shows no sign it will ever return to international law,” he said.

According to Zelenskyy, Putin dispatches envoys who “cannot and will not stop the bloodshed,” while using foreign visits to buy time for further attacks under the guise of diplomacy. He warned that Moscow only uses negotiations as a tactic to stall while continuing its offensive.

Closing the Sky as a Path to Talks

Zelenskyy said he believes Russia will be forced to enter peace negotiations if Ukraine and its partners can fully secure the country’s airspace.

“If we, with the help of our joint systems, can protect the sky, can effectively shoot down Russian missiles and drones, then Russia will be forced to stop its air attacks, because in the end everything will be shot down, and Putin will be forced to sit either here (at the UN) or on other respected platforms and begin a conversation,” he explained.

China’s Silence

Turning to Beijing, Zelenskyy argued that Russia’s war machine depends heavily on China. 

“Without China, Putin’s Russia is nothing,” he said, stressing that Beijing could compel Moscow to halt its invasion if it chose to act. Zelenskyy accused China of “remaining silent and standing aside” rather than working for peace.

United States and Path to Peace

The Ukrainian leader highlighted Washington’s central role, saying Kyiv had agreed to every U.S. proposal for a ceasefire, while Russia consistently rejected them. 

He welcomed his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the margins of the UN General Assembly, called it “constructive,” and noted they had discussed “several good ideas” to bring peace closer.

Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to act decisively without waiting for lengthy European decision-making processes, insisting that Moscow “fears America and always takes it into account.”

Beyond the Budapest Memorandum: A New Security Architecture

Zelenskyy said the failure of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees, proved international commitments could dissolve into “empty words.”

He announced that Ukraine, along with the UK, France and more than 30 partner nations, is working on a new system of binding security guarantees. “Real guarantees must create a line Russia will never again be able to cross,” he said.

Call for Action

Closing his speech, Zelenskyy appealed to permanent Council members to unite against Russia’s aggression. 

“Behind every international institution must stand real power capable of enforcing decisions,” he said. “If you act together, even Russia will have to comply. If you delay, the war will go on.”

“Ukraine wants peace more than anyone. The frontline is on our land, and we are paying the price in lives. Please, unite to stop Russia’s war,” he declared.