Zelensky warns at the U.N. that Russia could widen aggression without stronger unity and AI rules

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the U.N. General Assembly in New York that Vladimir Putin would extend Russia’s aggression beyond Ukraine if left unchecked, urging allies to present a united front and to ramp up support. He warned that the world faces a widening conflict driven by a technological and military arms race, saying that weapons already decide who survives and calling for global rules on artificial intelligence. He added that stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead.

Zelensky criticized international institutions as too weak to offer Ukraine security guarantees and suggested that being part of long-standing alliances such as NATO does not automatically ensure safety. He warned that Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova to Russian influence and noted that the West had missed chances to shield Georgia and Belarus from Putin’s orbit. The Ukrainian leader underscored the urgency of a coordinated Western response as fighting persists and diplomacy falters on the battlefield.

The remarks come as Moldova’s political landscape remains unsettled and closely watched by Kyiv. Maia Sandu, Moldova’s pro-EU president, has accused the Kremlin of pouring hundreds of millions of euros into Moldova to stoke instability and fear. Moldova’s voters go to the polls amid a BBC investigation that found a disinformation campaign linked to Moscow, compounding concerns that Moscow seeks to pull Moldova away from European integration. Moldova sits between Ukraine and Romania, a reminder of the strategic risk if Moscow gains greater influence in the region.

In the days surrounding Zelensky’s appearance, former U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a shift in rhetoric on the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump said Ukraine could win back all of its territory with sustained support from the EU and NATO, a reversal of his earlier calls for possible concessions and land swaps. Zelensky praised Trump, saying he had a good meeting with the U.S. president and indicated that Washington remained willing to provide security guarantees after the conflict ends, without detailing specifics. The reported change in tone contrasted with Trump’s prior description of Russia as a “paper tiger” that had been fighting aimlessly in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rebutted the characterization, telling reporters that Russia is not a tiger but a bear, and that the “paper bear” description does not reflect reality.

The diplomatic dynamic unfolded as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a high-level meeting with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, marking the highest-level U.S.-Russia encounter since Trump invited Putin to Alaska last month. The session underscored the fragile channel for dialogue amid continuing tensions and ongoing questions about security guarantees and future military aid to Ukraine.

On the security front, several NATO members reported airspace incidents involving Russian aircraft. Estonia and Poland requested consultations with other NATO members after separate Russian airspace violations, while Romania reported drone incursions. The incidents have underscored the sense of urgency among alliance members to reinforce air defenses and deter potential miscalculations near alliance borders.

The broader context remains a global debate over how to deter Moscow while avoiding an escalation that could destabilize Europe and beyond. Zelensky’s UN appearance framed the issue as not only a regional conflict but a test of international unity, defense commitments, and the governance of new technologies that could shape future warfare. As Moldova’s election approaches and as Western capitals weigh security guarantees, the speech reinforced the perception that the war’s consequences extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders and into the strategic calculations of many nations.