By — Edith Lederer, Associated Press Edith Lederer, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-live-ukraines-zelenskyy-addresses-u-n-general-assembly Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy warns world is in ‘the most destructive arms race in human history’ in U.N. General Assembly address World Updated on Sep 24, 2025 12:55 PM EDT — Published on Sep 24, 2025 9:27 AM EDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told world leaders Wednesday that the world is in “the most destructive arms race in human history” and called on the international community to act against Russia now, asserting that Vladimir Putin wants to expand his war in Europe. Watch Zelenskyy’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly in the player above. “We are now living through the most destructive arms race in history,” Zelenskyy said at the U.N. General Assembly. “Ukraine is only the first and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries, and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.” Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Zelenskyy’s comments came a day after he met with President Donald Trump, who expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts and criticized Russia. WATCH LIVE: Day 2 of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly Trump said Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shift from the U.S. leader’s repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war. In a bleak view of today’s world, Zelenskyy said the reality today is that international law and international institutions like the United Nations cannot help nations survive. “Weapons decide who survives,” he said. “There are no security guarantees except friends and weapons.” WATCH: Trump suggests Ukraine could reclaim territory from Russia The Ukrainian president said even being part of NATO didn’t prevent Russia from sending drones into Polish airspace and Russian fighter jets from entering Estonian airspace. He said neighboring Moldova is defending itself again from Russian interference. Zelenskyy said Georgia is already being lost and becoming dependent on Russia, and so is Belarus. “Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova, too,” he said, stressing that the country needs funding and energy support, not just “political gestures.” Find more of our 2025 U.N. General Assembly coverage WATCH LIVE: Day 1 of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly WATCH: Trump escalates criticism of UN in first General Assembly address since reelection WATCH: What to expect at this week’s U.N. General Assembly meetings WATCH: Brazil’s Lula pushes for ‘civilized relationship’ with U.S. amid tensions with Trump A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Edith Lederer, Associated Press Edith Lederer, Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told world leaders Wednesday that the world is in “the most destructive arms race in human history” and called on the international community to act against Russia now, asserting that Vladimir Putin wants to expand his war in Europe. Watch Zelenskyy’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly in the player above. “We are now living through the most destructive arms race in history,” Zelenskyy said at the U.N. General Assembly. “Ukraine is only the first and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries, and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.” Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Zelenskyy’s comments came a day after he met with President Donald Trump, who expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts and criticized Russia. WATCH LIVE: Day 2 of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly Trump said Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shift from the U.S. leader’s repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war. In a bleak view of today’s world, Zelenskyy said the reality today is that international law and international institutions like the United Nations cannot help nations survive. “Weapons decide who survives,” he said. “There are no security guarantees except friends and weapons.” WATCH: Trump suggests Ukraine could reclaim territory from Russia The Ukrainian president said even being part of NATO didn’t prevent Russia from sending drones into Polish airspace and Russian fighter jets from entering Estonian airspace. He said neighboring Moldova is defending itself again from Russian interference. Zelenskyy said Georgia is already being lost and becoming dependent on Russia, and so is Belarus. “Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova, too,” he said, stressing that the country needs funding and energy support, not just “political gestures.” Find more of our 2025 U.N. General Assembly coverage WATCH LIVE: Day 1 of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly WATCH: Trump escalates criticism of UN in first General Assembly address since reelection WATCH: What to expect at this week’s U.N. General Assembly meetings WATCH: Brazil’s Lula pushes for ‘civilized relationship’ with U.S. amid tensions with Trump A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now