Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a forceful rebuke of Russia at a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting on Tuesday, accusing Moscow of enlisting North Korea and Iran to perpetrate war crimes in Europe.
Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Zelenskyy declared that Russia is effectively making Iran and North Korea accomplices in the war crimes occurring in Europe. He pointed out that the supply of weapons from these countries is directly contributing to the loss of Ukrainian lives. Zelenskyy further criticized Russia’s approach, stating that Russia does not seek dialogue for peace and only resorts to coercive methods. He mentioned that while some countries might want to engage in conversation with Putin, the outcome is typically that Putin becomes angered by their efforts to protect their people.
During Zelenskyy’s speech, Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya drew attention not for his statements but for his demeanor. Nebenzya was notably distracted, frequently looking at his phone instead of engaging with the Ukrainian leader’s remarks. He took aim at Slovenia, the NATO member, and chair of the meeting, accusing them of setting a stage that unfairly spotlighted Zelenskyy.
The session also featured strong condemnation from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the weapons supply from North Korea and Iran to Russia and called for decisive action from the international community. Blinken stated that the support from Tehran and Pyongyang is helping Putin inflict carnage, suffering, and ruin on innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children, which has violated multiple Security Council resolutions. He also pointed out that China continues to provide indirect military support to Russia, significantly aiding its war efforts.
In response, Wang Yi, head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, dismissed Blinken’s allegations. Wang argued that China is not a party to the Ukraine crisis, rejecting claims of involvement or support.
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul also weighed in, expressing grave concerns over the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Cho condemned Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council and a founding nation of the non-proliferation regime, for engaging in illegal arms trading with North Korea. “Any cooperation that directly or indirectly supports North Korea’s military capabilities clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions and undermines the non-proliferation regime,” Cho stated.
Looking ahead, Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly’s general debate on Wednesday, while Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to attend the assembly and ekenddiscuss this. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not personally visited the UN General Assembly since 2015.
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