On Wednesday, September 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy began his performance at 16:30 local time (at 23:30 Kyiv time). He drew attention to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the de-occupation of Crimea and the Donbas region.
“It's time to wake up! This is the appeal of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres, to the world leaders, to you and me on the eve of the Assembly. For me, this call is special. For me, every night before the UN General Assembly is a sleepless night. In 2019, this was the excitement before the first speech. 2020, in general, was a sleepless year for the world through COVID-19,” Zelenskyy said.
“And about last night I will tell in more detail. 3 am. Dozens of calls. There was an attempt on the life of the first aide to the President of Ukraine. 12 shots. Three of them hit the driver. Here is the price of change in the state, here is the price of reforms,” Zelensky added.
According to him, Ukraine actually woke up a long time ago surviving Holodomor, Babyn Yar, two world wars, Holocaust. and since then the country did not fall asleep:
- In 1945 Ukraine became one of the founding members of the United Nations
- Ukraine did not expect help from others and helped others without waiting for gratitude.
- The world failed the COVID-19 exam.
- Due to the war in Donbas 1.5 million people are forced to leave their homes and almost 15,000 people died, which the price of freedom
- It took Ukraine one day to start a rescue operation in Kabul.
- 46states took part in the "Crimean Platform" and showed commitment to the principles of the UN.
- The UN should condemn the occupation of Crimea. Ignoring the platform for solving the problems of international law and occupation is some new, unapproved principles of the UN.
- Ukraine counts on the support of the international community in the issue of the release of Nariman Dzhelyalov, the first deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatar People's Mejlis, and the release of about 450 Ukrainians illegally detained in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in the Russian Federation.
- The occupied Crimea and Donbas should not fall off the UN agenda. The updated resolutions on the human rights situation in the occupied Crimea and the militarization of our Ukrainian occupied peninsula will be submitted to the General Assembly by the end of the year.
- In Crimea, a military base out of unique nature was created. Instead of fauna and flora, there is a fleet and soldiers. Issuance of Russian passports in the occupied territories is proof of an international crime.
- The UN veto mechanism, a symbol that "one can be right for all" has become a tool when one could blackmail everyone.
“Let's show that we are determined to make every effort to strengthen our interaction! And let’s just do it. Even without resolutions, declarations, coordination of positions. Just do it. As people. As nations. As united nations! Who made their choice. Their actions will either be filled with meaning or these chairs will be empty. Here is the price of this choice!” Zelenskyy concluded.