Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will expand his military aggression unless firmly stopped, urging the world to unite and step up support.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Zelensky cautioned that without a strong international front, more countries could face Russian attacks.
Highlighting the dangers of a fast-evolving global arms race, Zelensky said, "We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history," adding that modern weapons determine survival and calling for international rules on artificial intelligence in warfare.
He stressed that autonomous drones and unmanned planes pose a far greater threat than traditional weapons, and that preventing Russia’s advance now is far cheaper than facing new nuclear-capable drones later.
The Ukrainian leader also expressed concern about Moldova’s vulnerability, warning Europe cannot afford to lose the country to Russian influence. He recalled missed opportunities to protect Georgia and Belarus from Moscow's orbit.
This comes as Moldovan President Maia Sandu accused Russia of "pouring hundreds of millions of euros" into Moldova to fuel fear and incite violence ahead of upcoming elections, which are being shadowed by disinformation linked to Moscow.
Zelensky also criticized international institutions, saying they are "too weak" to guarantee Ukraine’s safety and noting that being part of a longstanding military alliance does not automatically ensure security.
On the US front, Zelensky praised his "good meeting" with President Donald Trump and noted that Washington is considering security guarantees for Ukraine after the war, potentially including weapons, air defences, and drones. Trump's recent statements marked a shift in his stance, suggesting Ukraine could regain all its territory with support from the EU and Nato, contrasting with his earlier calls for land swaps.
Trump also urged Nato members to shoot down Russian aircraft breaching their airspace, following violations by drones and fighter jets over Estonia, Poland, and Romania.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s description of Russia as a "paper tiger," saying, "Russia is in no way a tiger. It's more associated with a bear. And there is no such thing as a paper bear," adding that Trump’s remarks were influenced by Zelensky's vision, which contradicts Russia’s understanding of the conflict.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, marking the highest-level engagement since Trump invited Putin to Alaska last month.
According to the US State Department, Rubio reiterated the need for Moscow to take "meaningful steps toward a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war." The Kremlin has yet to respond to the meeting.
