Zelensky addresses UN, condemns Putin and calls for continued sanctions

During the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a sharp critique of Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling him the root cause of the ongoing war. Zelensky urged the international community to maintain and strengthen sanctions against Moscow, arguing that financial resources allow Russia to reject diplomacy and extend the conflict. He described the situation as a manifestation of the Russian leader's dangerous instability, questioning how the international community could still perceive him as a rational actor.

Zelensky also drew attention to the involvement of foreign military personnel, claiming that soldiers from 47 countries, including North Korea, have been deployed to fight alongside Russian forces. Furthermore, he criticized France for its reported efforts to influence Brussels to lift sanctions against Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov. The Ukrainian President emphasized that stripping Russia of its ability to fund the war is essential for preventing further escalation and achieving a peaceful resolution. The address serves as a call for global unity in exerting pressure on Moscow to force a shift in its diplomatic stance.