Zelensky warns of Russian threat at UN General Assembly, Lavrov rejects ceasefire

During a debate at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stern warning about the threat Russia poses to the international community. He not only described the burden Ukraine has endured during four and a half years of Russian aggression, but also pointed out the threat that Putin's Russia poses to Moldova, Poland and the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia).

Zelensky pointed out that Moscow does not respect the independence of the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Syria and many African countries have also suffered "Russian atrocities." In addition, Russia helps North Korea develop military technology, posing a growing threat to its Asian neighbors.

Zelensky used a medical term to describe Putin: "He is patient zero, and war ideas are spreading from him." He said that Putin is making the world more dangerous. "Therefore, Patient Zero must be stopped and deprived of the space to act and spread evil."

At the same time, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine relies on international assistance to deal with this threat and urgently needs air defense weapons.

He also described the progress Ukraine has made in drone technology. Currently, Ukraine is sharing these technologies with partners. "It's not just about selling drones, it's about working with other countries to build a modern, integrated defense system to deal with drone threats in the air, at sea and on land," Zelensky said. He also announced a drone agreement with Finland and a new defense agreement with Australia.

Kiev, with a population of about 3 million, has been a key target of Russian drone attacks in recent days. In addition, Russia also launched missile attacks against Ukraine's energy and power systems.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov flatly rejected the West's proposal for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York. Lavrov: "We will not stop our special military operations."

"Only Europe wants to suspend the war in order to 'take advantage of this opportunity to send weapons to Ukraine,'" Lavrov said.

German Foreign Minister Waldfur also spoke about Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council. "Russia's hybrid attacks on countries that support Ukraine and international law have reached a new level," he said.

Wadfur referred to the attempted drone strike at Leipzig/Halle Airport in the German state of Saxony in early August and accused Russia of trying to destroy a Ukrainian cargo plane with an explosives-laden drone.

Foreign Minister Wadfur also clearly pointed out that the consequences of the war of aggression in Ukraine are affecting the world. Ukraine has a bumper grain harvest, but due to Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, grain cannot be shipped to other parts of the world. “As a result, Russia is exacerbating hunger and suffering around the world,” Wadful said.

The German foreign minister called for an immediate ceasefire - starting with the Black Sea - to ensure food supplies. He also called for a comprehensive exchange of prisoners of war and a return to negotiations based on international law to achieve peace. He appealed: "Let us completely escape this vicious cycle of destruction and violence!"