Zelenskyy at UN: ‘Ukraine is Only the First,’ Spotlighting Russian Threats/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN that the world is experiencing the most dangerous arms race in history, fueled by AI-powered drones and Russian aggression. He warned that inaction against Vladimir Putin could lead to broader European conflict. Zelenskyy called for global rules on AI weapons and urgent support to stop Russia now.
AI Arms Race and Russian Threat Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy: The world is in “most destructive arms race”
- Warns Russian aggression could spread beyond Ukraine to Europe
- AI-powered drones now a growing global security threat
- Moldova at risk of Russian political interference, Zelenskyy says
- Over 30 countries join Ukraine’s new defense coalition
- Ukraine opens arms exports with battle-tested tech
- Zelenskyy: “Weapons decide who survives” in today’s world
- Global rules needed on military use of AI, he urges
Deep Look:
Zelenskyy at UN: ‘Ukraine is Only the First,’ Spotlighting Russian Threats
UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark warning to global leaders on Wednesday, declaring that the world is now locked in “the most destructive arms race in human history,” fueled by the rapid spread of drone warfare, artificial intelligence, and unchecked military aggression—especially from Russia.
Speaking before the U.N. General Assembly, Zelenskyy delivered a sobering assessment of global security. He argued that international institutions have failed to prevent conflicts across the world—from Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan—and that global laws offer little real protection without military force to back them.
“Weapons decide who survives,” Zelenskyy said. “There are no security guarantees except friends and weapons.”
Putin’s War Spreading Beyond Ukraine
The Ukrainian leader used the global platform to urge immediate international action against Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he accused of escalating the war with intentions of spreading conflict beyond Ukraine.
“If Putin isn’t stopped now,” Zelenskyy warned, “he will keep driving this war forward, wider and deeper.”
He cited increasing Russian drone operations across Europe and interference in neighboring countries as signs of a broader agenda. Zelenskyy pointed to Moldova, a small country west of Ukraine, which he said is actively resisting Russian political influence.
“Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova, too,” Zelenskyy said, urging not only symbolic gestures but real financial and energy support to bolster the country’s independence.
Rise of AI and Drone Warfare
Zelenskyy emphasized that modern warfare is being transformed rapidly by AI-powered drones and automated weapons systems. Unlike traditional arms races, today’s battlefield developments are more accessible and more dangerous.
“Drones used to be limited to powerful states,” he noted. “Now, tens of thousands of people know how to professionally kill using drones.”
He warned that drone warfare is now spreading beyond the battlefield. Some European airports have had to shut down due to drone threats, and North Korea recently tested a tactical drone, indicating that even isolated regimes can now build lethal autonomous systems.
“We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history, because this time it includes artificial intelligence,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president echoed U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in calling for immediate international regulation of AI in warfare, warning that without such controls, the next phase of conflict could be drones autonomously attacking people and infrastructure without human intervention.
“Drones fighting drones, critical infrastructure under attack, fully autonomous systems—this is not science fiction,” Zelenskyy warned. “It is imminent.”
“Stopping Russia Now Is Cheaper”
Zelenskyy argued that failing to act now will only make global defense more difficult and costly in the future. He cited Ukraine’s own experiences: building underground schools, health clinics, and shelters to shield civilians from airstrikes and drone attacks.
“Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port, every airport, and every child,” he said.
He went further, warning that the rapid evolution of drone tech could make nuclear-equipped drones a future threat.
“We must use everything we have together to force the aggressor to stop. Only then do we have a real chance that this arms race will not end in catastrophe for all of us,” he declared.
Ukraine’s Military Innovation and New Coalition
Zelenskyy also highlighted Ukraine’s growing defense capabilities. While the country doesn’t possess the massive missile arsenals used in military parades by autocracies, it has developed long-range drones capable of reaching 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers—already used against Russian military targets.
Ukraine, he said, is building a new global security architecture, and over 30 countries have joined the nation’s international defense coalition. In a notable policy shift, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will begin exporting its battle-tested weapons systems, offering combat-proven tech to global partners.
“We have decided to open up for arms exports – and these are powerful systems tested in a real war when every international institution failed,” he said.
After Meeting Trump, A Diplomatic Pivot
Zelenskyy also briefly addressed his meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Trump, who had previously urged Ukraine to make concessions, unexpectedly expressed full support for Ukraine’s efforts and said he believes Kyiv can reclaim all territory lost since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Zelenskyy didn’t elaborate on the apparent U.S. policy shift, saying only that the meeting was “good” and that “together, we can change a lot.”
The Ukrainian leader ended his speech with a call for unity, action, and courage in the face of growing global threats—not just from military adversaries, but from technology itself.
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