The United Nations General Assembly witnessed a dramatic address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made an impassioned plea for more military assistance to combat Russia’s ongoing aggression. His powerful ‘call to arms’ came with a stark warning about a new, more destructive era in military technology, only a day after former President Trump indicated renewed support for Kyiv in its war with Russia. Zelensky highlighted recent Russian drone incursions into Poland and Estonia, emphasizing the urgent need for advanced weaponry. He cautioned that drones could soon be used to deliver nuclear devices, especially with the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence. ‘We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history,’ Zelensky declared.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also made his first address since a recent 12-day conflict with Israel, which saw U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. He presented Iran as a victim of military aggression, reiterating that his country ‘has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,’ echoing statements from Ayatollah Khamenei. Pezeshkian also criticized European nations for threatening to reimpose sanctions, arguing such moves undermine diplomacy. His speech offered little new strategy for resolving the nuclear standoff with the West.
Other significant developments at the assembly included:
* **Panama’s Sovereignty:** President José Raúl Mulino of Panama defended his nation’s control over the Panama Canal, dismissing earlier threats from former President Trump about a potential U.S. takeover. Mulino emphasized the canal’s neutrality and its role as a global public good.
* **Syria’s New Leader:** President Ahmed al-Shara of Syria, making his global debut, expressed openness to a security agreement with Israel but urged an end to Israeli expansionist policies and aggressive military actions. He stated Syria would not threaten any country, including Israel, and pointed to airspace violations as the real risk.
* **AI and Global Security:** Echoing Zelensky’s concerns, Security Council members expressed fears that unchecked artificial intelligence could pose a significant global threat, with U.N. Secretary-General Guterres advocating for a global watchdog to regulate the technology.
* **Climate Action:** Despite former President Trump’s continued skepticism regarding climate change, European Union Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra affirmed that global efforts to address emissions are not slowing. While the E.U. is still finalizing its 2035 targets, other major economies are stepping up their commitments. European leaders find themselves in a complex geopolitical position, reliant on U.S. cooperation despite policy disagreements, and wary of China’s growing dominance in clean energy.
Regarding the Ukraine conflict, President Zelensky expressed surprise and cautious optimism over Donald Trump’s shift in stance. Trump, who previously suggested Ukraine might cede territory for peace, now stated on Truth Social that Ukraine could ‘WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,’ citing Russia’s ‘BIG Economic trouble.’ While this was welcomed, many Ukrainians remained skeptical, viewing Trump’s words with caution given his past unpredictable comments and the ongoing lack of concrete U.S. assistance. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov dismissed Trump’s ‘paper tiger’ remarks about the Russian army, asserting Russia’s resilience in what he openly called ‘an ongoing war’ that ‘we must win.’ Despite economic strains and Ukrainian drone strikes impacting fuel, Russia’s economy shows signs of resilience with low unemployment and rising incomes. Zelensky stressed that stopping the war now is ‘cheaper’ than allowing a new, more dangerous arms race to escalate, citing the need for immediate action and weapons. He noted that international rules often fail, and only ‘friends and weapons’ can truly save a country. He also drew parallels between the war in Gaza and the situation in Ukraine, highlighting shared humanitarian concerns.