Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation from UN diplomats after he outlined a five-point “peace formula” in a virtual speech.
Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, was smiling as delegates to the United Nations General Assembly applauded her husband on Wednesday night.
In his speech at the 77th UN General Assembly, Mr Zelensky has spoken out against Russia’s unprovoked invasion of his country, now in its seventh month.
Mr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly that his country was “ready for peace”, adding that his plan lays out “preconditions for peace” that could serve “everyone who might be in a similar situation” Serve.
He told diplomats that his plan included “determination to punish aggression, protect lives, restore security and territorial integrity, security and self-defense”.
In his speech, Mr Zelensky, wearing his signature olive green T-shirt, also said Ukraine would eventually force all Russian troops to leave its borders.
“We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do that with force,” the president said. “But we need time.”
The UN General Assembly voted last week to allow speeches via video link due to the ongoing conflict in the country.
Mr Zelensky’s speech came after Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced the “partial mobilization” of 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine’s severely depleted Russian army.
It is the first time Russia has called up such an event since World War II, but it has faced a degree of opposition in the country.
Russia’s independent human rights group OVD-Info said more than 1,000 protesters had been arrested following Mr Putin’s announcement.
U.S. President Joe Biden also focused on Russian aggression against Ukraine in his speech on Wednesday.
“This war is about eliminating Ukraine’s right to exist as a country, plain and simple, and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people. No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what you believe, it will make your blood boil,” Mr Biden said.
“If nations are able to pursue their imperial ambitions without consequence, then we will put at risk everything that this institution stands for. Everything.”
