Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned at the United Nations General Debate on Wednesday regarding the potential loss of Moldova to Russian influence. Addressing the assembly in New York, he highlighted concerns about the escalating dependencies of Georgia and Belarus on Russia, warning that Europe “cannot afford to lose Moldova” as well.
Zelenskyy emphasized that supporting the stability of Moldova wasn’t an expensive undertaking for Europe, but failing to do so would carry a significantly higher cost. He urged the European Union to provide Moldova with financial and energy support, moving beyond symbolic gestures and political statements.
The President underscored the importance of safeguarding human rights and the rights of nations within regions facing threats, reiterating that the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be universally applied.
Zelenskyy also called for the establishment of concrete regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drone technology. He described the current situation as the “most destructive arms race in human history” questioning whether safe havens for people could still exist without intervention.
Regarding the ongoing conflict, Zelenskyy expressed that international law’s effectiveness appeared contingent on possessing powerful allies and even that proved insufficient without military strength. He attributed the protracted nature of the Russian invasion to the perceived weakness of international institutions. Looking ahead, Zelenskyy suggested that post-war security guarantees for Ukraine could serve as a model for promoting peace and stability elsewhere. He envisioned a system where such guarantees could be replicated for other nations.
