Zelensky: Moscow must be forced to accept peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the UN Security Council, asserting that the war with Russia cannot be resolved through negotiations alone and emphasizing that Moscow must be pressured into accepting peace, rejecting any territorial concessions. He introduced his “Victory Plan,” which aims to conclude Russia’s invasion that has seen it occupy about 20% of Ukraine, and suggested that Western support could compel President Putin to pursue diplomacy.

Zelensky also accused North Korea and Iran of supplying weapons to Russia, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China for its role in bolstering Russia’s military. In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed the U.S. allegations as irresponsible, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled Zelensky’s peace push a “fatal mistake.” Zelensky is set to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden amid rising skepticism about continued U.S. support for Ukraine.

Key Concepts

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asserts that the war with Russia cannot be resolved solely through negotiations.
• Zelenskiy rejects proposals for Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for peace.
• He emphasizes that Russia, as the aggressor, will not stop hostilities without external pressure.
• Zelenskiy’s “Victory Plan” aims to conclude Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
• The plan seeks to facilitate a second Ukrainian-led peace summit that includes Russia.
• Zelenskiy accuses North Korea and Iran of being “de facto accomplices” by supplying weapons to Russia.
• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticizes China for its role in supporting Russia’s military efforts.
• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismisses U.S. allegations as irresponsible and unproductive.
• Russia’s UN ambassador objects to Zelenskiy’s address, indicating tensions within the Security Council.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims that peace cannot be forced upon Russia and labels Zelenskiy’s proposals a “fatal mistake.”
• Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss his “victory plan” amid growing skepticism about U.S. support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that the war between Russia and Ukraine cannot be settled through negotiations alone and that Moscow must be forced to accept peace.

President Zelensky has been seeking support from Western leaders for what he calls his “Victory Plan” to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which it launched in February 2022.

Zelensky said the war would end one day, but not because “someone is tired of war” or through a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported, referring to proposals for Ukraine to give up some territory occupied by Russia in order to resolve the conflict.

Zelensky thanked countries that have provided support to Ukraine, but he said, “This war cannot be settled through negotiations.”

“Putin has broken so many international norms and rules that he will not stop on his own. Russia can only be forced to peace, and that is what is needed—forced to peace as the only aggressor in this war, the only violator of the UN Charter,” Zelensky said.

Since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has controlled about 20% of Ukraine’s territory and has been slowly advancing in the east.

Zelensky has said that if his plan receives Western support it would have wide-ranging implications for Moscow, including a psychological impact that could help pressure Putin to end the war diplomatically.

Zelenskiy has so far said little about his victory plan, except to say it would serve as a bridge to a second Ukrainian-led peace summit that Kiev hopes to hold later this year and invite Russia to attend.

Zelensky also accused North Korea and Iran of providing Russia with weapons for use in war, calling the two countries “de facto accomplices” of Moscow.

Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia spoke at the meeting, objecting to the 15-member Security Council receiving Zelenskiy’s speech.

China-US Confrontation

The top diplomats from China and the United States also engaged in a war of words at the Security Council.

“North Korea and Iran are not the only countries aiding and abetting Russia,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Security Council. “China, another permanent member of the Security Council, is the largest supplier of machine tools, microelectronics, and other items Russia uses to rebuild, restock, power its war machine, and sustain its brutal aggression.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has rejected U.S. accusations that Beijing’s support for Russia enables it to continue its war in Ukraine.

“I want to make it clear that on the Ukraine issue, any move to shift the blame to China or to attack and smear China is irresponsible and will not produce any results,” Wang told the Security Council.

Reuters also reported that Russia responded to Zelensky’s speech to the UN Security Council on Wednesday by saying that Zelensky’s plan to force Russia to achieve peace was a “fatal mistake” that would have consequences for Kiev.

“Such a position is a fatal mistake, a systemic mistake. It is a profound misunderstanding that will inevitably have consequences for the Kiev regime,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a phone conversation with reporters.

Peskov said that Russia wants peace, but this issue cannot be forced. He also said: “Trying to force Russia to achieve peace is an absolutely fatal mistake, because it is impossible to force Russia to achieve peace.”

According to AFP, Zelensky will travel to Washington on Thursday to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House. Zelensky is expected to explain what he described as a “victory plan” to President Biden. In this year’s US presidential election, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has expressed doubts about the United States’ continued support for Ukraine.