Ukraine's Zelensky Urges UN To "Punish" Russia For Its Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged the United Nations to punish Russia for its invasion, calling for a special tribunal and compensation fund and for Moscow to be stripped of...

On Wednesday, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky called on the world to punish Russia in a dramatic video address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which US President Joe Biden accused Moscow of violating basic international norms.

Setting what he called his terms for peace, Zelensky - almost the only leader allowed to address the summit -

He called 15 times to "punish" Russia for its invasion.

ad

"Ukraine demands punishment for the attempt to steal our lands. Punishment for the killing of thousands of people. Punishment for the torture and humiliation of women and men," Zelensky said in English in a pre-recorded video.

Wearing his signature green military shirt,

Zelensky received a rare warm welcome at the General Assembly, who personally returned after two years of pandemic restrictions.

Zelensky called for the creation of a special court to hold Russia accountable, saying it would be "a signal to all potential aggressors."

He also demanded a compensation fund,

He said that Russia "must pay for this war with its own assets."

His speech came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin mobilized reservists and disguised his threat to use nuclear weapons, indications that he was in no hurry to end the war.

.

Zelensky made it clear that he sees no point in instant talks,

He said that Russia is only using diplomacy to buy time on the battlefield.

"Russia is afraid of real negotiations and does not want to fulfill any just international obligations. It is the responsibility of everyone - as well as the aggressors and terrorists."

Conquer the world on UN reform

Zelensky became a symbol of resistance in the West,

It responded by imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia and billions of dollars in military equipment for Ukraine.

But the former actor seemed aware of the resentment in the developing world about the focus on Ukraine.

He noted the lack of African and Latin American representation in the Security Council, and called for Russia to be stripped of its veto.

Biden has also sought to woo the developing world, announcing another $2.9 billion to tackle global food insecurity — which has worsened markedly since the invasion of Ukraine, a major exporter of grain.

.

He threw his support behind the Security Council seats for Africa and Latin America.

"Russia unabashedly violated the basic principles of the United Nations Charter," Biden told the General Assembly.

"Let's talk frankly. A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council invaded his neighbor -

They tried to erase the sovereign country from the map.”

The United States has previously offered verbal support but little enthusiasm for years of calls for Security Council reform. It had earlier backed bids from Japan and India.

Biden also promised the United States "to refrain from vetoing, except in rare cases,

exceptional cases, to ensure that the council remains credible and effective.”

In recent years, Russia has been the most frequent user of the veto. The United States, China, France and Britain also have veto power, a legacy of the power dynamics at the end of World War II.

Russia has previously mocked the United States.

mind at the Security Council, noting how former President George W. Bush circumvented him to invade Iraq.

Kenyan President William Ruto, addressing the General Assembly, welcomed Biden's comments on reform as an "important step in the right direction."

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on the sidelines of the General Assembly,

He said the world should put "maximum pressure" on Putin, whose "decisions will further isolate Russia."

The European Union said its foreign ministers would hold an emergency meeting late Wednesday in New York to address Putin.

Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, told reporters that new sanctions "will certainly be on the table."

No "cold war" with China

Amid warnings of a growing global divide, Biden has also sought to calm tensions with China, days after promising once again US support for Taiwan if Beijing invades the autonomous democracy.

"As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will act as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict,

"We are not seeking a cold war," Biden said.

.

The Biden administration has encouraged what it sees as less than China's full support for Putin, who recently admitted that Beijing has concerns about the Ukraine war.

Among the other leaders who addressed the United Nations were Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi,

who traveled to New York with the spread of protests in his country over the death of a woman who was arrested by the morality police.

BY
ProBuzzFeed