If one word were to sum up Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech to the UN it would, without a doubt, be “punishment”. He indeed chose Wednesday to pronounce it no less than fifteen times. The Ukrainian president thus demanded a “just punishment” against Russia, strongly denouncing the invasion of his country and calling for the establishment of a special tribunal.
“A crime has been committed against Ukraine,” President Zelensky said while addressing the UN General Assembly via video message. Not having been able to go to New York, the leader had obtained this exceptional authorization from the member states of the UN.
Applause and applause
In his speech, which ended under the ovations and applause of the representatives present in the room, Volodymyr Zelensky launched a virulent diatribe against Moscow for its aggression against Ukraine. “We will not let this entity prevail over us”, he launched, dressed as always in a khaki green T-shirt, and calling for the creation of a special tribunal to judge Russia “for its crime of aggression against our state.
The Ukrainian president also called for the creation of a compensation fund for Ukraine and argued that Russia should be stripped of its right of veto in the UN Security Council. Earlier, at the same UN rostrum, US President Joe Biden had accused Russia of having “brazenly violated” UN principles.