'Ukrainians did not choose this war. We choose not to die,' Zelensky says to UN General Assembly as he calls for peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, urging continued support for Ukraine and emphasizing the need for peace. He stressed that Ukrainians did not choose to enter this war, but rather, they strive to avoid losing their lives, their country, and their independence. Zelensky warned that Russia's war budget deficit is the largest it has been in any year, and most Russian regions are facing financial ruin. He noted that Russia's major operations on the frontline this summer have all failed.

The Ukrainian leader highlighted that Russia never anticipated Ukraine to target military factories in Siberia, deep within their territory, during the initial stages of the conflict. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine's struggle revolves around safeguarding critical infrastructure, food security, protecting lives, and curbing the development of lethal weapons used for killing.

He called for a reduction in the pace of this progress before the next stage, warning that the advent of artificial intelligence on the battlefield could have dire consequences next year.

Zelensky described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "patient zero" who initiated Russia's war and cautioned that the longer Putin prolongs the conflict, the more evil he will leave behind in the world. Ukrainians understand that the upcoming winter could be particularly harsh for them, but they are determined to make it equally challenging for Russia. In light of this, Zelensky stressed the importance of de-escalation measures before the winter sets in.

Furthermore, Zelensky revealed that Russia has enlisted citizens from 47 different countries in its war efforts. He called upon representatives of each nation to prevent their citizens from becoming entangled in Russia's conflict and contributing to the ongoing war.