Russia No Completely different From Different Terrorists, Zelensky Tells UN: 10 Factors

1. Likening Russia’s actions in Ukrainian cities reminiscent of Bucha to violence carried out by “terrorists” such because the Islamic State group, Zelensky referred to as on the 15-member council — which goals to make sure worldwide peace and safety — to expel Russia “so it can not block choices about its personal aggression, its personal warfare.”

2. Russia, as one of many 5 everlasting members of the Safety Council, has a veto, which it has repeatedly wielded to dam resolutions and negotiations on the worldwide stage.

3. “If there is no such thing as a different and no possibility, then the following possibility could be dissolve your self altogether,” Mr Zelensky mentioned.

4. The United Nations could possibly be “merely closed,” he mentioned. “Girls and gents, are you prepared to shut the UN? And the time of worldwide regulation is gone? In case your reply isn’t any, then it is advisable to act instantly.”

5. Bearded and wearing his now trademark navy inexperienced T-shirt, Mr Zelensky gave a chilling rendition of the atrocities he mentioned have been carried out by Russian troops in opposition to civilians in Bucha, a city exterior the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, and aired the graphic video displaying lifeless our bodies, together with a number of youngsters.

6. “They have been killed of their flats, homes, blowing up grenades, civilians have been crushed by tanks whereas sitting of their vehicles in the course of the highway, only for their pleasure. They lower off limbs… slashed their throats,” he mentioned.

7. “Girls have been raped and killed in entrance of their youngsters, their tongues have been pulled out solely as a result of the aggressors didn’t hear what they wished to listen to from them. So that is no totally different from different terrorists reminiscent of Daesh who occupied some territory, and right here it’s performed by a member of the United Nations Safety Council,” he mentioned, utilizing one other acronym for ISIS.

8. UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres opened the assembly by warning of the worldwide fallout from the battle, with hovering meals, power and fertilizer costs affecting as much as 1.2 billion individuals in 74 nations. “The warfare in Ukraine should cease — now,” Mr Guterres informed the Council, after calling it “one of many biggest challenges ever to the worldwide order.”

9. UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths can be on account of replace the physique after his latest go to to Moscow.

10. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, sparking outrage internationally and displacing thousands and thousands of Ukrainians.

With inputs from AFP