Russia not serious about ending war in Ukraine: Zelensky in address to UNGA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation of reservists to bolster his forces in Ukraine.

Updated on: Sep 22, 2022, 05:25:30 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Harshit Sabarwal, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is not serious about ending the war in his country, which will soon enter the eighth month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from video addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.  (AP)

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through a pre-recorded video on Wednesday, Zelensky, donning his signature green military T-shirt said, “Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men,” news agency AFP reported.

Also Read| ‘In such a situation..’: Putin's top quotes on partial mobilisation in Russia

The Ukrainian President called for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable and also demanded a compensation fund, saying that Moscow “should pay for this war with its own assets.”

Volodymyr Zelensky further said that Russia was afraid of real negotiations and does not want to fulfil any fair international obligations.

His address to the UNGA came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation of reservists to bolster his forces in Ukraine.

In a 14-minute nationally televised address, Putin warned the West that he was not bluffing about using everything at his disposal to protect Russia, an apparent reference to the nuclear arsenal.

Also Read| China calls for ‘ceasefire through dialogue’ after Putin's address on Ukraine

A report by the Associated Press on Wednesday said that the total number of reservists to be called up could be as high as 3,00,000.

Protests broke out in several Russian cities denouncing the mobilisation. According to the OVD-Info protest monitoring group, security forces detained 1,311 people in 38 cities.

Apart from widespread protests, Putin's announcement regarding the mobilisation also sent some Russians scrambling to buy plane tickets to flee the country. Tickets for the Moscow-Belgrade flights operated by Air Serbia were quickly sold out for the next several days. The price for flights from Moscow to Istanbul or Dubai increased within minutes before jumping again, reaching as high as 9,200 euros (around ₹7.22 lakhs).

(With inputs from AFP, AP)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.