Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia on Wednesday of planning potentially devastating attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear facilities during a resolute speech at the UN, where he criticized external efforts to impose peace.
In his address, Zelensky aimed to garner support from global leaders at their annual meeting in New York, expressing heightened concerns as the U.S. election approaches, which could significantly affect Ukraine's primary ally.
Dressed in a black polo jacket, Zelensky informed the assembly that Ukrainian intelligence had detected Russian satellites monitoring the country’s nuclear sites. He stated, "It appears that President Putin is preparing to target our nuclear power plants and related infrastructure, intending to cut them off from the power grid."
He emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning, "Any critical incident within the energy system could trigger a nuclear disaster. A day like that must never occur."
Zelensky urged the international community to exert pressure on Russia, saying, "Moscow needs to comprehend the seriousness of this."
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's electrical grid, which Western and Ukrainian officials interpret as a strategy to leave the country without heat during the winter months.
On Thursday, Zelensky will visit the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and present what he terms a "victory plan" for Ukraine's future.
During his UN speech, Zelensky specifically called out China and Brazil, questioning the genuine intentions of nations advocating for negotiations with Russia.
He stated, "You will not enhance your influence at Ukraine's expense. The world has already witnessed the consequences of colonial wars and the machinations of powerful nations at the cost of smaller ones."
Zelensky asserted, "Ukrainians will never accept the imposition of a brutal colonial past that serves no one today."
Reflecting on his previous dramatic appearance at the General Assembly during wartime, Zelensky acknowledged that the political landscape has shifted.
Donald Trump, who is campaigning for president again, referred to Zelensky as the "greatest salesman on Earth," claiming, "Every time he visits the U.S., he walks away with $100 billion," while suggesting that the war would continue unless he were president.
Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided approximately $175 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine, and Biden has made it clear that sending troops is not an option.
Trump, who has previously expressed admiration for Putin, was impeached during his presidency for withholding aid to Ukraine while pressuring Zelensky to investigate Biden.
Zelensky expressed his hope to meet Trump during his visit to the U.S. to clarify the complexities of the ongoing war