UN General Assembly 2025: Zelensky Warns Against Putin’s Expansion, Iran Condemns Israel, Global Tensions Rise
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the world witnessed sharp warnings, heated condemnations, and urgent calls for collective action. The spotlight fell on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, as both leaders addressed issues threatening global security and stability.
Zelensky’s Defiant Speech: “Stop Russia Now”
President Zelensky took to the UN podium with a direct warning: unless Vladimir Putin is stopped, the war in Ukraine will spread “wider and deeper.” His words carried urgency as he accused Russia of continuing relentless attacks on Ukraine, abducting thousands of children, and violating international borders, including incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.
Zelensky dismissed the notion of security guarantees through treaties alone, bluntly declaring:
“There are no real security guarantees except friends and weapons.”
He emphasized that international law is powerless without the support of allies willing to defend it militarily.
Among his key points:
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On Global Arms Race: He described the world as entering “the most destructive arms race in human history,” accelerated by drones and artificial intelligence.
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On Moldova & Eastern Europe: Zelensky warned that Europe risks losing Moldova to Russian influence, just as it “lost Georgia and Belarus.”
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On Russia’s Threats: Even NATO members, he argued, are vulnerable, citing recent Russian drone incursions.
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On Peace: He ended with an appeal: “Don’t stay silent while Russia keeps dragging this war on. Please speak out and condemn it.” He closed with “Slava Ukraini” – Glory to Ukraine.
Trump’s Shifting Position and Russia’s Response
Zelensky’s remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump surprisingly stated that Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory — a position many analysts still regard as “pie in the sky.” Russia reacted sharply, boasting that it was more “bear than paper tiger.”
Economically, Russia faces cracks despite resilience since 2022. With sanctions biting and defense spending ballooning, Moscow recently raised VAT from 20% to 22% to fund the war. Trump, meanwhile, urged Europe to target Russian oil exports to China and India with tariffs, hoping to choke Moscow’s war chest.
Iran’s President Pezeshkian: Condemnation of Israel and Call for Multilateralism
Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian also addressed the Assembly, choosing strong words against Israel and its recent strikes in Doha and Iran itself.
His central messages:
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On Israel: He accused Israel of committing “aggression rooted in coercion and bullying,” responsible for “genocide in Gaza” and devastation in Syria and Yemen.
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On June’s Israeli Attacks on Iran: He described them as “savage aggression” that killed children and scientists, calling it a “grave betrayal of diplomacy.”
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On Nuclear Weapons: Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s official line, declaring: “We have not sought and will never seek nuclear weapons.”
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On Diplomacy: He said real security can only come through “confidence building, mutual respect, regional convergence, and multilateralism.”
Iran faces enormous domestic and international challenges: inflation, sanctions, and a damaged nuclear program after recent U.S. and Israeli strikes. Analysts say Pezeshkian’s challenge is nearly impossible: repairing Iran’s global image while facing skepticism at home and abroad.
The Broader UNGA Context
This year’s UNGA debates revolve around escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Syria, alongside climate change and women’s rights. The hall has seen moments of tension — Russian delegates reportedly avoided looking directly at Zelensky during his speech.
King Felipe VI of Spain opened the session, reflecting on the UN’s role in closing the “dark chapters” of the 20th century. Yet, as Zelensky and Pezeshkian demonstrated, the 21st century may be facing its own “dark chapters” unless urgent action is taken.
Conclusion
The UN General Assembly remains a stage where world leaders present visions of peace, justice, and cooperation. But as Zelensky warns of an unchecked Putin, and Pezeshkian condemns Israel while defending Iran’s sovereignty, the Assembly reflects a fractured world order.
What emerges is a sobering reality: the challenges of war, security, and diplomacy are intensifying — and the ability of global institutions to respond effectively is under question.
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