Speeches

It is now the seventh day – by the way, it is something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The situation is critical. Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators. This is extraordinary.

We need to maximize production, and Ukraine’s manufacturing capacity is still far from fully utilized. We are directing Ukrainian funding so that every company capable of delivering quality results receives an order and can fully carry it out.

Thank you for your attention to Ukraine and thank you for understanding that the challenges our nations face are shared ones – they can only be overcome together.

This week, we expect decisions from Europe on such pressure – at the very least, there should be a new sanctions package, the 19th package.

The only thing that can force this Russian virus of war to stop is strength: strong decisions and strong assistance.

We have to remember what Crimea is. We must act so that Russia knows – we remember, and we will not forgive, and we are fighting for international law and basic human justice to prevail. 

We must use everything we have – together – to force the aggressor to stop. And only then do we have a real chance that this arms race won’t end in catastrophe for all of us. If it takes weapons to do it, if it takes pressure on Russia – then it must be done. And it must be done now. Otherwise, Putin will keep driving the war forward – wider and deeper.

Behind every international institution, there must be real strength to enforce decisions. This is true for the Security Council and for the UN as a whole. If you stand together for ending this war, even Russia will have to obey. And if some of you act, while others delay, the war goes on.

Please let the result of this Coalition meeting be support for initiatives to find, return, and reintegrate our children, and real pressure on Russia through sanctions. We must turn attention into action. We need your support and the support of partners in the General Assembly.

It will be the week of the UN General Assembly – with various events and meetings. The schedule already includes nearly two dozen meetings with leaders from different countries, from all parts of the world – with everyone who has long supported Ukraine and those who are among our new partners. The first meetings are already tomorrow. We are also planning a meeting with the President of the United States this week.