Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly: “Cut Putin’s money. Curb his war” – key takeaways from the Ukrainian president’s speech | Today’s news
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his speech to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday (23 September) to call on world leaders to further cut Russian revenues, accusing President Vladimir Putin of prolonging the war and warning that Kiev could target Russia’s energy infrastructure during the coming winter.
Zelenskyy argued that curbing Moscow’s ability to generate revenue was essential to curtailing its military campaign.
“Russian revenues must remain a target.”
“When someone gives Russia more money through trade, it gives more time to this war,” Zelenskiy said, calling on countries to cut trade with Moscow and increase pressure on the Kremlin.
Here are the main takeaways from Zelensky’s address to the UN General Assembly:
1. ‘Limit his money. Limit his war”
Zelenskyy urged governments to continue to focus on Russia’s economic resources, arguing that trade with Moscow was helping to sustain the conflict.
“Cut his money. Cut his war,” he told world leaders.
He said Ukraine itself is targeting Russian revenue as part of its efforts to weaken Moscow’s ability to continue fighting.
“The longer Putin is able to wage war, the more evil he will leave in this world,” Zelenskyy said.
2. Zelensky questions Putin’s desire for peace
The Ukrainian president expressed doubt that Putin really wants to end the war.
“There always seems to be something preventing Putin from saying, ‘That’s it. Enough. Peace,'” Zelenskyy said.
He described Putin as “Patient Zero” for the spread of the war, saying the Russian invasion had helped fuel wider instability.
“Can you even imagine him without war? He is ‘Patient Zero’, the one from whom the war spreads,” Zelenskyy said. “Patient Zero” must be stopped.”
3. Russia has used 63,000 attack drones this year
Zelenskyy said Russia has launched 63,000 attack drones of various types against Ukraine this year, underscoring the scale of Moscow’s aerial campaign.
He said Ukraine had proven it could withstand a much larger opponent.
“Ukraine proved that even against a much bigger enemy you can stand and survive,” he said.
Zelenskyy called on other countries to deny Russia the money and foreign personnel needed to sustain its military operations.
4. Russia accused of recruiting fighters from 47 countries
Zelenskyi accused Russia of using citizens from 47 countries in the war against Ukraine.
“Putin is always looking for someone to help him kill more, kill more people per kilometer of land, take more territory and take another country instead of simply stopping and running his own country,” he said.
He specifically listed nationals from countries including Ghana, Nepal and India as having become involved in the conflict.
5. North Korean soldiers highlighted
Zelensky also pointed to Russia’s growing military ties with North Korea.
He said Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces and that the captives were subsequently sent to South Korea.
“We recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea,” he said, adding that capturing them alive was not easy.
6. Ukraine warns of attacks on Russian energy facilities
Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine could target Russian thermal and energy infrastructure during the winter if Moscow continues to attack Ukrainian civilian energy facilities.
“Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us, but in response we will have no choice but to hurt Russia as well,” he said.
However, he insisted that Ukraine’s goal is not only to destroy Russia’s fuel reserves.
“Ukraine’s goal is not to destroy Russia’s gasoline and diesel supplies,” Zelenskyy said, arguing instead that Kiev wants to deprive Moscow of revenue that funds its war effort.
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7. Ukraine expands cooperation with drones
Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s growing cooperation with allies on drone technology, saying Kyiv had become a leader in the field during the war.
“We are already working with partners in the Persian Gulf, the South Caucasus and across Europe through drone deals,” he said.
He announced a new drone agreement with Finland and said drones are also included in a security agreement signed with Australia.
Zelensky added that Ukraine is preparing an agreement on drones with Canada.
8. “Ukraine did not choose this war”
Zelenskyy defended Kiev’s continued military spending and calls for arms and sanctions, saying these were reactions to the Russian invasion rather than Ukraine’s preferred course of action.
“Sometimes it may seem that Ukraine is focused, focused, only on war, because we are talking about weapons, we are talking about defense and sanctions against the aggressor,” he said.
“But the Ukrainians did not choose this war,” Zelenskyy added. “We choose not to die… We fight back.
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