UN General Assembly: Selenskyj warns of Russia and hopes for the turn of the day

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj has promoted support for his country before the United Nations – and at the same time warned of the dangers to the global community. This included a worldwide, destructive arms race, the growing influence of artificial intelligence in weapon systems and the persistently aggressive behavior of Russia. Selenskyj also praised the recent conversation with US President Donald Trump, who had indicated a more Russian view of the war on the sidelines of the UN Generalbatte.

“We had a good meeting with President Trump yesterday and I also spoke to many other strong leaders and together we can change a lot,” said Selenskyj in his speech. His country counts on Europe and the United States. The United Nations also depends on peace, he explained to the assembled heads of state and government in New York. “Please do not stay silent while Russia further extends this war. Please speak out against it and judge it.”

Warning of Russian action in Moldova

In his speech, Selenskyj warned of further Russian aggression. The Republic of Moldova is defending itself against Russian attacks, but the international community’s answer to this is not sufficient. The Ukrainian President said that Russian penetration into the airspace of Poland and Estonia shows how urgent support is.

“Europe cannot afford to lose Moldau too,” said Selenskyj. The EU must help Moldau with financial resources and support in the energy sector and secure human rights there. “It is not expensive for Europe to support Moldaus stability. If you miss it, it will have a much higher price,” said Selenskyj.

It was only on Tuesday that ProEuropean President Moldaus, Maia Sandu, had warned of Russia’s interference in her country. A new parliament will be elected there on Sunday. With nationwide raids on Monday, 74 people were arrested, it continued. They are accused of having prepared masses in Moldau.

Warning of the use of artificial intelligence in the military

Selenskyj also warned of the use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems of the “most destructive arms arming in human history”. Ten years ago, nobody was able to imagine that drone attacks could create entire areas without life. In the past, this was only conceivable by a nuclear strike. He called for international rules for the use of AI in weapons systems. This is “as urgent as the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons”.

The use of drones is necessary to ensure the survival of Ukraine. “Ukraine does not have the big rockets with which dictators like to show at parades. But we have drones that can fly up to 3,000 kilometers,” said Selenskyj. Against the background of military developments, it is important to counter Moscow more decisively. “Stoping Russia is now cheaper than asking who will first build a simple drone that can transport a nuclear warhead.”

Speech accompanied by a possible US turnaround in the Ukraine War

Selenskyj gave his speech shortly after signals of a change of course by US President Donald Trump in the Ukraine War. Trump had said much more critically about Russia on Tuesday. The country is weak and after three and a half years I looked like a “paper tiger” without real success on the battlefield, Trump wrote on his online platform Truth Social. At a meeting with France President Emmanuel Macron, the US President also said that his relationship with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin “unfortunately means nothing”.

Trump had expressed himself more positively than recently, but without announcing more extensive US help. “I think that with the support of the European Union, Ukraine is able to regain all Ukraine in its original form,” Trump explained after meeting Selenskyj on the sidelines of the UN General Batte on Tuesday.

According to Trump, Ukraine, together with her allies, is able to recapture its areas occupied by Russian forces – and maybe even “further”, as he wrote in his post.

Sustainable departure from Putin?

It is by no means Trump’s first change of course in the Ukraine War. Nevertheless, in addition to the Ukrainians, their European allies and diplomats also hope for a real turn in the war and a sustainable departure from Trump from Putin at the UN General Assembly in New York. After meeting Putin in August in Alaska, Trump was exposed to hard criticism that the largely isolated Kremlin chief brought back onto the world stage and rolled out a red carpet without being able to make Russia substantial concessions. There was never a meeting announced by Trump between Selenskyj and Putin.