Updated: 9:55am (AEST)
United Nations
Reuters
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy demanded a special United Nations tribunal impose “just punishment” on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, including financial penalties and stripping Moscow of its veto power in the Security Council.
Zelenskiy’s recorded address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s first wartime mobilisation since World War II. Moscow plans to conscript some 300,000 troops in an apparent escalation of its Ukraine invasion that began in February and has left thousands dead, displaced millions and reduced towns to rubble.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is pictured on video screens as he delivers a recorded address to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, on 21st September. PICTURE: RGeuters/Mike Segar
“A crime has been committed against Ukraine, and we demand just punishment,” Zelenskiy told the UN body.
“A special tribunal should be created to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against our state…Russia should pay for this war with its assets,” the Ukrainian president said, urging the UN to “remove the right of veto” from Russia as a Security Council member.
Zelenskiy said his five non-negotiable conditions for peace included punishment for Russian aggression, restoration of Ukraine’s security, and territorial integrity and security guarantees.
“[T]his is the first item of our peace formula. Comprehensive item. Punishment,” Zelenskiy, wearing his trademark khaki tee shirt, told the assembly.
“Punishment for the crime of aggression. Punishment for violation of borders and territorial integrity. Punishment that must be in place until the internationally recognized border is restored.”
But he added: “What is NOT in our formula? Neutrality. Those who speak of neutrality, when human values and peace are under attack, mean something else.”
Many delegations gave Zelenskiy a standing ovation after his speech. The Russian delegation remained seated.
Seeking membership of the Western military alliance NATO and the European Union is enshrined in Ukraine’s constitution. Russia said even before starting its invasion in February that NATO membership for Ukraine was a “red line” that could not be breached.
Zelenskiy ruled out “that the settlement can happen on a different basis than the Ukrainian peace formula. The further the Russian terror reaches, the less likely it is that anyone in the world will agree to sit at one table with them.”
Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russian forces of war crimes in different parts of the country they have occupied. Russia denies the allegations and says it does not target civilians.
