'Cherry-picking sanctions' risks 'normalising' Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row

On September 22, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres addressed Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Middle East conflict during the U.N. General Assembly debate, according to The Guardian. He stated that Russia's full-scale invasion is a "blatant violation of the U.N. Charter" and that civilians are suffering both in Ukraine and Russia.

Guterres warned of the cascading conflicts in the Middle East and urged leaders to focus on de-escalation and dialogue during the General Assembly week in New York. He emphasized the need to stop fighting and allow unhindered humanitarian aid in the region.

Guterres drew a parallel between artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons, stating that just as countries recognized the need to manage the risks of nuclear armament, they must now address the risks associated with AI. He called on nations involved in the "technological revolution" to share information about security risks and cooperate on testing and safeguards to protect everyone.

In his address, Guterres also addressed world superpowers, warning that "their power is not so super and has limits." He argued that military, economic, and technological power alone cannot deliver peace, stability, or security. Guterres defended the U.N. system, which has faced criticism, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, and emphasized its potential to create more balanced and representative solutions to global problems.

Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the U.N. General Assembly in New York to discuss diplomatic efforts to end the war, strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, and explore the possibility of producing missiles for Patriot systems. Zelenskyy is expected to push for an energy ceasefire, while Trump may pressure Ukraine to agree to one.