Zelenskyy's stern reply to China and Brazil's peace plan at UN: 'Don't boost your power at Ukraine's expense'
During his speech at the United Nations, Zelenskyy said proposing "alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so-called sets of principles" would give Russian President Putin the political space to continue the war.
United Nations: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is in New York, dismissed efforts by China and Brazil to end Russia's war in Ukraine, questioning why the pair were proposing an alternative to his own peace formula and warning: "You will not boost your power at Ukraine's expense."
He dismissed efforts by China and Brazil to end Russia's war in Ukraine, questioning why the pair were proposing an alternative to his own peace formula and warning: "You will not boost your power at Ukraine's expense." Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Nine months later Zelenskyy announced a 10-point peace plan to bring a just end to the war on the basis of the founding UN Charter and international law. Moscow rejected the plan.
VIDEO: Zelenskyy's address at United Nations
"Maybe somebody wants a Nobel Prize": Zelenskyy at UN
"The peace formula has already existed for two years, and maybe somebody wants a Nobel Prize for their political biography, for (a) frozen truce, instead of real peace, but the only prizes Putin will give you in return are more suffering and disasters," Zelenskyy told the United Nations General Assembly, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy said proposing "alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so-called sets of principles" would give Putin the political space to continue the war.
China and Brazil peace plan
China has been trying to enlist developing nations to join the six-point peace plan it issued with Brazil in May. Their proposal calls for an international peace conference "held at a proper time that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties as well as fair discussion of all peace plans." Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva advocated for the plan when he addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday.
"Any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve a lull instead of an end to the war," Zelenskyy told the 193-member assembly.
"When the Chinese-Brazilian duo tries to grow into a choir of voices - with someone in Europe, with someone in Africa - saying something alternative to a full and just peace, the question arises, what is the true interest? Everyone must understand, you will not boost your power at Ukraine's expense," he said.
The Ukrainian president plans to lay out a "victory plan" to US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday.
Kremlin responds to Zelenskyy's peace plan
Russia said on Wednesday that a plan by the Ukrainian President to force it to make peace was a "fatal mistake" that would have consequences for Kyiv. Zelenskyy told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that the war between Russia and Ukraine could not be calmed by talks alone and that Moscow must be forced into peace.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Such a position is a fatal mistake, a systemic mistake. This is a profound misconception that will inevitably have consequences for the Kyiv regime." Peskov said that Russia wants peace, but the issue cannot be forced, adding: "A position based on an attempt to force Russia into peace is an absolutely fatal mistake, because it is impossible to force Russia into peace."
He said: "Russia is a supporter of peace, but on the condition that the foundations of its security are ensured."
Putin said in June that Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kyiv agreed to drop its ambitions to join NATO and to hand over the entirety of four regions claimed by Moscow, demands Kyiv swiftly rejected as tantamount to surrender.
Ukraine and its Western allies say Putin must be prevented from winning the war because, if not stopped, he will threaten other neighbouring states. Putin has cast the conflict as an existential struggle for Russia, while denying he has any interest in expanding the war to other countries.
(With inputs from agency)