Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia on Wednesday of plotting potentially catastrophic attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear facilities during a resolute address at the United Nations General Assembly.
He also criticized attempts to impose peace terms from outside forces.
Zelensky used the annual gathering of world leaders in New York to highlight his concerns, particularly as a U.S. election approaches that could alter the stance of Ukraine’s key ally.
Wearing a black polo jacket, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian intelligence has discovered that Russia is using satellites to monitor Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, he warned, “seems to be planning attacks on our nuclear power plants and the infrastructure, aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid.”
“Any critical incident in the energy system could lead to a nuclear disaster, and we must ensure such a day never comes,” Zelensky said, urging world leaders to apply more pressure on Russia.
Since capturing Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant early in its 2022 invasion, Russia has been targeting the country’s electricity grid. Western and Ukrainian officials believe this is an attempt to leave Ukrainians without power during the harsh winter months.
Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday to present a “victory plan” outlining Ukraine’s path forward.
In his UN speech, Zelensky also questioned the “true interest” of countries like China and Brazil, which have pushed for peace negotiations with Russia. He insisted Ukraine will not be used to bolster the power of other nations.
“Ukrainians will never accept the idea that anyone believes a brutal colonial past, which has no place today, can be imposed on Ukraine now,” Zelensky declared.
Despite his continued global presence, the political landscape has shifted since Zelensky’s first wartime appearance at the General Assembly last year. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, running for office again, called Zelensky “the greatest salesman on Earth” and criticized U.S. involvement in the war.
The U.S. has provided around $175 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. Trump, who has previously expressed admiration for Putin, claims that the U.S. is “stuck in that war” unless he returns to office.
Zelensky expressed his hope to meet Trump during his visit to the U.S. and explain the complexities of the war.
