Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a forceful address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24, 2025, urging the world’s leaders to unite in stopping Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and warning of a rapidly escalating global arms race. His speech, delivered to all 193 member states, painted a stark picture of the risks posed not only to Ukraine but to the broader international community, should Russian aggression go unchecked.
Standing before the UNGA, Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to expand the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. According to reporting from the United Nations, he stated, “Ukraine is only the first, and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries.” He cited recent alleged airspace violations by Russian drones and fighter jets in NATO member states Poland and Estonia as evidence that Russia is testing new boundaries and expanding its military reach.
Zelenskyy’s warnings did not stop at territorial concerns. He cautioned that the war in Ukraine has unleashed “the most destructive arms race in history,” a phrase echoed by multiple international outlets including Axios and Hindustan Times. The Ukrainian president pointed specifically to the convergence of drone technology and artificial intelligence, highlighting the catastrophic risks these advances could pose if weaponized at scale. “The combination of autonomous drones and artificial intelligence poses new risks to humanity,” Zelenskyy told the General Assembly, underscoring his belief that the world is on the brink of a dangerous new era in warfare.
In a bid to bolster Ukraine’s own defenses and those of its allies, Zelenskyy announced that his country is moving to open up the export of its weapons to friendly nations. He argued that investing in measures to stop Russia now would ultimately be less costly than the alternatives. “The facts are simple, stopping this war ... is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers for critical infrastructure later,” he said, making a pointed appeal to the economic and humanitarian interests of other countries.
But Zelenskyy’s message was not solely about Ukraine. He drew attention to the plight of neighboring Moldova, which he said is currently defending itself from Russian interference. The Ukrainian leader warned that Moldova must not be allowed to slip into dependency on Moscow, as he argued has happened with Georgia and Belarus. “Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova, too,” Zelenskyy declared, stressing that Moldova needs more than political gestures—it requires tangible funding and energy support to resist Russian influence.
The urgency in Zelenskyy’s voice was matched by the gravity of the situation he described. He warned the assembled leaders that if Putin is not stopped now, the war will only “widen and deepen.” According to his assessment, the conflict already threatens to spill over into other European countries, with Russian drones and operations spreading beyond Ukraine’s borders. This, he argued, is not merely a Ukrainian problem, but a European—and indeed global—one.
His speech comes at a time when the specter of a new arms race looms large. Zelenskyy’s comments about the intersection of drone warfare and artificial intelligence resonated with many experts and policymakers. As reported by Hindustan Times, Zelenskyy said that the convergence of these technologies “could have catastrophic consequences,” a sentiment that has been echoed by defense analysts worldwide. The proliferation of autonomous weapons systems, especially those powered by AI, has sparked debates among military strategists and ethicists about the future of conflict and the potential for unintended escalation.
In a separate interview with Axios, Zelenskyy revealed his intentions for Ukraine’s political future once the conflict ends. He stated that he does not seek to remain in power after the war and plans to organize elections if a ceasefire is reached. This declaration adds a personal dimension to his campaign for international support, signaling his commitment to democratic principles and the restoration of normal political life in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin responded sharply to international commentary on the war’s trajectory. On the same day as Zelenskyy’s speech, a spokesperson for the Russian government dismissed former U.S. President Trump’s assertion that Ukraine could reclaim territory lost during Russia’s full-scale invasion. The Kremlin insisted that Russia has “no alternative” but to continue its military campaign in Ukraine, doubling down on its commitment to the conflict despite growing international condemnation.
Zelenskyy’s address also highlighted the interconnectedness of security in Europe. By pointing to alleged Russian incursions into NATO airspace, he sought to remind the world’s leaders that the consequences of inaction could be severe and far-reaching. The notion that “Russian drones are already flying across Europe” is meant to jolt policymakers into recognizing the immediacy of the threat and the need for a coordinated response.
The Ukrainian leader’s call to action was not just rhetorical. By advocating for increased military exports and urging financial and energy support for vulnerable neighbors like Moldova, Zelenskyy outlined concrete steps that he believes the international community must take to contain Russian aggression and prevent further destabilization of the region.
His remarks resonated with many in the assembly, particularly those from countries that have themselves experienced Russian interference or aggression in recent years. The Baltic states, for example, have repeatedly warned about the dangers of Russian military activity near their borders, and Moldova has faced significant pressure from Moscow over its political orientation and energy supply.
Yet, Zelenskyy’s speech also underscored the complexity of the international response. While many nations have provided Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid, others remain wary of escalating tensions with Russia or becoming entangled in a broader conflict. Zelenskyy’s insistence that “stopping this war is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers for critical infrastructure later” was a direct appeal to those weighing the costs of intervention against the potential price of inaction.
As the world watched Zelenskyy’s address, the stakes of the conflict in Ukraine—and its implications for global security—were brought into sharp relief. The Ukrainian president’s warning about a new arms race, fueled by cutting-edge technology and unchecked aggression, served as both a call to arms and a plea for diplomacy. Whether his words will spur the decisive action he seeks remains to be seen, but the urgency of his message was unmistakable.
With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of abating and the risks of escalation growing by the day, Zelenskyy’s speech at the United Nations may well be remembered as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to contain one of the most dangerous conflicts of the 21st century.
