How can the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine finally be ended? Before the UN Security Council, Volodymyr Zelenskyy implored his allies to force a peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on his allies in the UN Security Council to work together to force an end to Russia’s war of aggression. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has “broken so many international laws and rules that he will not stop doing so on his own. Russia can only be forced to make peace, and that is exactly what is needed,” Zelenskyy said at a meeting of the United Nations’ highest body in New York. He will also speak there today in the UN General Debate and try to mobilize political and military support for his country.
Meanwhile, bad news came from home. After a Russian air attack with glide bombs on the city of Kharkiv, the number of victims rose to at least 3 dead and 34 injured by Tuesday evening. In the ground fighting in eastern Ukraine, the defenders are still under heavy pressure. Russian troops are advancing on the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region and are threatening to encircle it. During the night into Wednesday, an air raid warning was issued in the eastern half of Ukraine. According to authorities, explosions were heard in the Sumy and Poltava regions and in the port city of Odessa.
Selenskyj is working towards a victory plan
Zelensky used his appearance in the UN Security Council to prepare the diplomatic initiative that is the goal of his US trip. On Thursday, he wants to present a plan to outgoing US President Joe Biden on how to achieve a victory for Ukraine and a just peace. His possible successors Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are also to be informed.
Russia is committing an international crime with the war, said Zelensky. “That is why this war cannot simply disappear. That is why this war cannot be calmed down by talks.” He added: “Action must be taken.” He was “grateful to all nations that are really helping in a way that saves the lives of our people.” While Zelensky spoke, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya demonstratively leafed through his documents and looked at his cell phone. In his response, Nebenzya accused the Ukrainian president of destroying his own country and people.
Ukraine does not want to accept a temporary occupation
The individual steps that Zelensky wants to propose are not yet known. However, this includes the demand for Ukraine to join NATO, as Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said at an appearance in New York. Another “mandatory point” is that Ukraine will not accept a temporary Russian occupation of its territories on the way to peace. This was announced by the Foreign Ministry in Kiev. Russia must withdraw completely from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Russia occupies around a fifth of the neighboring country and claims at least five administrative regions in the southeast of the country and the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed in 2014.
Bodycam recordings
This is how Russian soldiers see the war in Kursk
In military terms, Ukraine has been asking the USA for months to lift restrictions on the use of delivered weapons several hundred kilometers deep into Russia. There are ammunition depots, command posts and air bases there, from which Russian fighter jets take off to drop bombs on Ukraine. In Zelensky’s considerations, the occupation of around 1,000 square kilometers in the Russian Kursk region by his army is likely to be a bargaining chip for the evacuation of Ukrainian territory.
Bomb hits Kharkiv
The impact of several Russian glide bombs in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv resulted in civilian casualties. “The targets of Russian bombs are a residential building, a bread factory, a stadium. That is, the normal life of ordinary people,” wrote Zelensky on Telegram. At least three people were killed. There were also 34 injured. Mayor Ihor Terekhov spoke of bomb strikes in four districts and two damaged high-rise buildings. The city of Kharkiv, which has a population of one million, is just over 20 kilometers from the Russian border and is attacked by the Russian military with rockets and bombs almost every day.
Russia’s 2025 budget geared towards war
Despite Western sanctions, Russia is banking on high oil and gas revenues in its budget planning for 2025. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in Moscow that state revenues should rise by 12 percent to 40.3 trillion rubles (about 390 billion euros). The energy sector’s share of revenues will grow to almost three quarters. The expenditure side should grow less strongly to 41.4 trillion rubles (about 400 billion euros). A deficit of 0.5 percent of gross domestic product is therefore to be expected.
According to media reports, the future budget is also geared towards the war against Ukraine and large-scale arms production. 13.2 trillion rubles have been earmarked for the military, reported the Moscow-based financial news agency Bloomberg. In total, 40 percent of all spending is earmarked for defense and security – more than the spending on education, health, social affairs and the economy in Russia combined.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
