Zelenskyy blasts ‘criminal’ war, calls for ending Russia U.N. veto

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Russia for killing tens of thousands of his citizens in his first in-person address to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, calling for Moscow to be stripped of its powerful veto as one of the permanent members of the UN’s top decision-making body.

“Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into deadlock,” Zelenskyy told council members during a tense session, adding that it is impossible for the body to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because of Moscow’s ability to veto any effort or initiative at the Security Council.

“Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war. It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation, aimed at seizing Ukraine’s territory and resources,” Zelenskyy, clad in the military-style fatigues that have become his hallmark since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, said.

Amid the impassioned speeches, it was admissions of the UN’s powerlessness to stop the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II that rang truer than the calls for changing the international body’s rules, something that few diplomats think is likely.

Zelenskyy’s appeal came as Ukraine’s allies in the US and Europe have grown increasingly pessimistic about prospects for ending the war soon. Kyiv’s counteroffensive has progressed slowly and officials now see the fighting continuing for years to come, challenging governments to keep up military and financial support amid growing domestic opposition to the cost.

Russia is digging in for a long conflict, confident it can outlast Kyiv’s allies, according to US and European officials.

Zelenskyy will be in Washington Thursday to press his case for more assistance with President Joe Biden and Republican leaders in Congress, some of whom have questioned calls for continued support.

At the beginning of the heated Security Council meeting, Russia’s UN envoy objected to Zelenskyy’s presence. As the meeting focused on Ukraine began on Wednesday morning, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, immediately protested Zelenskyy’s participation on procedural grounds and began sparring with the council’s president, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

“We do not believe that the arguments you’ve advanced are compelling,” Nebenzya told the chamber, reading from a script, as he repeatedly tried to stop Ukraine’s president from addressing the world leaders and foreign ministers gathered for the highlevel meeting during this week’s UN General Assembly.