New York — Tensions Rise at UN General Assembly

Zelensky Proposes New Peace Plan; Calls for Nuclear Disarmament

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made headlines at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, proposing a bold peace plan to be presented at the Security Council. During his impassioned speech, Zelensky highlighted that terrorists should not have the right to possess nuclear weapons. Recalling the 1990s, he lamented Ukraine's relinquishing of its third-largest nuclear arsenal under US pressure, and argued that Russia should have been the nation to disarm.

Signaling a strong stance, Zelensky made it evident that under his presidency, peace agreements with Russia seem unlikely unless the conditions involve Russia's complete disarmament, a prospect viewed by many as unrealistic.

US Stands with Ukraine, Yet Biden Remains Silent on Direct Action

The outgoing head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Milley, before his resignation, emphasized that Ukraine has managed to liberate more than 54% of the territory considered "Russian-occupied." In a surprising remark, he stated, "This is Ukraine's fight, this is their history, their battle. Ukraine didn't ask any other country to fight for them." Instead, Milley noted, Ukraine seeks help in materials and education.

President Joe Biden, in his address, refrained from making any direct commitment to assisting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, omitting the issue entirely for the first 20 minutes. However, a scheduled meeting at the White House between Biden and Zelensky promises to unveil a substantial military aid package for Ukraine.

Defense Advancements: Ukraine Collaborates Internationally

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced new defense initiatives after a meeting in the "Ramstein" format. With the primary goal of preparing Ukraine's defense forces for the future, five clusters were identified for priority development, including air defense, artillery, aviation, navy, and armored vehicles.

Furthermore, a collaborative IT coalition has been set up between Ukraine, Estonia, and Luxembourg. This coalition seeks to bolster the Defense Forces in IT, communications, and cybersecurity.

Israel-Ukraine Relations: A Delicate Balance

Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened in a much-anticipated meeting. While Zelensky kept his expectations from Israel close to the chest, he seemed positive post-meeting, terming it as "good." Netanyahu, on his part, assured continued Israeli support to Ukraine, especially in humanitarian sectors like combating anti-personnel mines.

Iranian Perspective: A Different Lens on the West

The Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, offered a poetic critique of the West during his UN speech, describing it as facing an "identity and functionality crisis." He portrayed the West as viewing the world as a wilderness while seeing itself as a "beautiful garden."

Stay tuned for more updates from the UN General Assembly.