Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Issues Stark Warning of “Final War” if Russia’s Aggression Isn’t Halted

United Nations, New York — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a chilling address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, warning that if the world doesn’t intervene to stop Russia’s aggression, it could lead to a “final war” with devastating consequences.

Zelenskyy’s grim outlook was directed at countries that have remained ambivalent about their stance in the ongoing conflict since it began in February 2022 and nations that initially supported Ukraine but have since pulled back their support.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that Russia’s invasion of his country has the potential to trigger a global catastrophe, challenging the belief that nuclear nonproliferation alone can deter international conflicts. He cited Russia’s past aggression towards Georgia and military intervention in Syria as evidence that aggression doesn’t stop at one nation’s borders.

“When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there,” Zelenskyy declared.

He went on to express concerns that if Russia succeeds in its treacherous actions, the seats in the General Assembly hall may soon be empty, implying the potential loss of nations due to the repercussions of Russia’s aggression.

Zelenskyy’s plea to world leaders came as part of a two-part visit to the United States. He is set to visit Washington on Thursday for discussions with U.S. lawmakers who are deliberating whether to provide Ukraine with further aid. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House.

While Zelenskyy was successful in rallying Congress to approve substantial aid during his previous visit to the U.S. in December, his success this time is uncertain, with some House Republicans staunchly opposing the allocation of taxpayer funds for additional military support.

Fearing a potential weakening of the global coalition supporting Ukraine, Zelenskyy did not mince words when addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s alleged crimes against Ukraine. He cautioned nations that abandoning Ukraine could make them vulnerable to border violations.

In particular, Zelenskyy criticized neighboring European countries for making it more challenging for Ukraine to export grain, seemingly targeting Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia for their grain agreements, which he referred to as “political theater.”

During his address, a Russian diplomat at the United Nations was captured on camera casually using his cellphone, displaying apparent disinterest.

Earlier in the day, President Biden urged the international community to continue its support for Ukraine at the General Assembly, even as Putin faces charges of crimes by the International Criminal Court and abstains from attending the event.

Putin’s alleged involvement in the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia led to an arrest warrant issued against the Russian leader by the ICC in March. Zelenskyy voiced concerns about the well-being of these children, who are taught to harbor hatred towards Ukraine, with their family ties severed—a situation he labeled as “genocide.”

Notably, the Group of 20 (G20) nations recently declined to explicitly condemn Russia by name for the invasion, despite President Biden’s push for a united stance on the matter.

Zelenskyy alluded to the existence of secret negotiations for a peace deal with Putin without divulging details. He cautioned against trusting Putin and invoked the fate of Russian mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was reportedly presumed dead last month after challenging Putin’s leadership.

“I am aware of some attempts to make some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin’s promises,” Zelenskyy warned.