Zelensky Warns UN of 'Most Destructive Arms Race' as Ukraine Urges Action

UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday that the globe is in the most destructive arms race in history and pressed the international community to act against Russia now, warning that Vladimir Putin intends to expand the war in Europe.

Zelenskyy described a security environment in which Ukraine is the first casualty and where Russia is widening its reach: drones already cross European skies, and Moscow's operations are spreading to other countries as Kyiv’s Western allies confront the possibility of a broader confrontation with Russia. He stressed that the United Nations and its member states must act decisively to deter further aggression and to strengthen security guarantees for Kyiv.

Zelenskyy's remarks came a day after he met with President Donald Trump, who expressed support for Ukraine's efforts and criticized Russia. During discussions with Zelenskyy, Trump signaled a robust stance in backing Kyiv, juxtaposed with his own critiques of Moscow’s actions on the world stage.

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. The statement underscored a potential recalibration in Washington’s public posture toward Kyiv, even as many allies warn that a prolonged conflict could redraw security designs across Europe.

The U.N. appearance underscored the urgency Zelenskyy attaches to maintaining international focus on the conflict and the broader arms race dynamics he says threaten global stability. By appealing to a broad coalition of nations, he sought to translate Kyiv's battlefield needs into a concerted diplomatic push for continued military assistance, stronger sanctions on Moscow, and unified deterrence against any further expansion of Russia's war.

As the world watches, Zelenskyy is emphasizing that the war in Ukraine is not just a regional dispute but a litmus test for the international order and for how quickly the international community can mobilize to prevent a cascading escalation across continents.