Zelensky: Putin must not be allowed to expand the war further
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "patient zero" spreading the idea of war across the globe. He emphasized the need to limit Russia's ability to finance the war and stated that if attacks on Ukraine's energy sector continue, retaliatory strikes could be carried out.
Zelensky: Putin must not be allowed to expand the war further
According to DW, Zelensky spoke at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York on September 23.
The President of Ukraine said that wherever the idea of war spreading from Putin reaches, it brings "only pain, instability, new risks and, of course, new crises."
"His actions must not be tolerated, and this evil must not be allowed to spread further," Zelensky said.
Zelensky claimed that the Russian oil industry is working "with its last strength" for the first time in history. He assessed this as a heavy defeat for a country that has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and is proud of its oil exports.
At the same time, the President of Ukraine emphasized that oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, refineries or ports themselves are not Kyiv's main target.
"Our target is Russia's ability to finance and prolong this war," he said.
Zelensky stated that if Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine's energy and heating systems, Kyiv will work to ensure that Russia's "General Frost" "switches sides" this winter. He thus hinted at possible retaliatory strikes on Russian energy facilities.
According to Zelensky, between January and August, the personnel losses of the Russian armed forces on the battlefield in Ukraine amounted to 248,964 people.
"Putin is paying with 248 people for every kilometer. Are there still those who think he is acting rationally?" said the President of Ukraine.
According to him, citizens of 47 other countries are also fighting in the ranks of the Russian army, and they are also dying on the battlefield.
Zelensky warned that as early as next year, decisions on the battlefield might be made not only by humans, but also by artificial intelligence.