- Zelensky emphasized that increased trade with Russia contributes to the prolongation of the war
UNITED NATIONS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the international community to maintain economic pressure on Russia, arguing that restricting Moscow’s revenues is essential to limiting its ability to sustain the war in Ukraine.
Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Zelensky urged world leaders to further restrict trade that contributes to Russia’s wartime revenues. “When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time. And that is exactly why we insist on limiting trade with the aggressor, and why we are burning Russia’s revenues ourselves,” Zelensky said in remarks delivered in English.
He emphasized that Russian revenues should remain a focus of international economic measures, as Kyiv continues to seek stronger sanctions and restrictions on Moscow’s ability to finance its military operations.
The issue comes as diplomatic efforts continue alongside intensified attacks on infrastructure and energy facilities. Zelensky has also been pursuing discussions on possible de-escalation measures involving energy and other critical infrastructure.
Moscow Says It Will Not Accept a Temporary “Pause”
Russia is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Saturday, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov representing Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not attended the UN gathering in recent years.
Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia remained prepared to negotiate a lasting peace but rejected the idea of simply pausing the conflict. Moscow has argued that a temporary halt could give Ukraine and its international partners additional time to strengthen their military capabilities.
Zelensky, meanwhile, used strong language to describe the continuation of the conflict, saying: “Something always seems to stop Putin from saying, ‘That’s it. Enough, Peace.’”
“Can you even imagine him without war? He is ‘Patient Zero’, the one from whom war keeps spreading further. … ‘Patient Zero’ must be stopped,” he added.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has continued to affect global food, fertilizer and energy markets, while also deepening geopolitical divisions between Russia and Western countries. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has separately highlighted the importance of maintaining safe channels for Ukrainian and Russian exports of food, fertilizers and energy through the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, despite relatively limited changes along parts of the front line, Russia and Ukraine have continued extensive long-range drone and missile attacks, with energy infrastructure, ports and other strategic facilities remaining among the targets.
BY: The Times Union – AP
