Zelensky Warns UN of Putin's Plans to Target Ukraine's Nuclear Power Plants

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to target Ukraine's nuclear power plants. He recalled the alarming incident when Russian tanks fired on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, emphasizing that the Russian army's assault on the facility was reckless and posed a significant risk of catastrophic consequences. Zelensky stated that ensuring nuclear security is a critical component of Ukraine's peace strategy, underscoring that most of the world recognizes the gravity of the situation.

Zelensky criticized Putin for seeking to "break the Ukrainian spirit" through relentless attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. He reported that Russia has destroyed all of Ukraine's thermal power plants and a considerable portion of its hydroelectric capacity, deliberately leaving millions in darkness as winter approaches. The president warned that any missile or drone strike on nuclear facilities could lead to a "nuclear catastrophe," emphasizing that such disasters would not respect national borders.

He expressed concern that Ukrainian children are growing up learning to identify the sounds of various types of artillery and drones due to the ongoing war. Zelensky insisted that every European and Central Asian leader understands that the threat of conflict extends beyond Ukraine, as nearly 100 countries and international organizations have backed his proposed peace formula. He stressed that "there can be no just peace without Ukraine."

Zelensky also highlighted the UN's limitations in resolving the war, particularly due to the veto power held by certain members of the Security Council. He argued that while the aggressor can block...