The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyclaimed on Tuesday that Russia is committing “genocide” by kidnapping children, in a call for solidarity before the United Nations General Assembly.

“Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are severed. And this is clearly a genocide,” Zelensky said.

In a speech wearing olive green, as he has done since the war began, Zelensky reiterated his call for a summit of like-minded nations, a summit for peace and an end to the war of aggression. In a speech warning skeptical developing countries how much they stand to gain from a victory in Kiev, he denounced Russia’s use of food and energy as weapons.

“For the first time in modern history we have the opportunity to end aggression on the terms of the attacked nation,” Zelensky said in a speech that was received with applause led by Western countries, but with many empty seats.

“This is a real opportunity for all nations: to guarantee that aggression against their state, if it occurs, God forbid, ends not because their country is divided,” he said, but with sovereignty defended.

Zelensky also stated that Russia – a permanent member of the Security Council – should not possess nuclear weapons. “Terrorists have no right to possess nuclear weapons,” he said.

The Ukrainian president will take part in a high-level session of the UN Security Council this Wednesday.

Iran accuses the United States

In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused the United States of worsening the war in Ukraine but insisted that Tehran – which supplies drones to Russia – would support a peace deal.

“The United States of America is fanning the flames of violence in Ukraine to weaken European countries. Unfortunately, it is a long-term plan,” he said on the UN platform.

Brazil calls itself ‘neutral’

That same Tuesday, the President of Brazil took his turn before the Assembly Luis Inácio Lula da Silva called for “dialogue” to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, in a speech attacking global inequality and the lack of political will to solve it.

Relations between Brazil and Ukraine have been tense after Lula stated in an interview last year that his Ukrainian counterpart was “as responsible as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin” for the war and, as president, refused to supply him with weapons like others Western countries. have done.

Brazil has tried to position itself as a negotiator in the Ukrainian war, without taking sides, after its initial position earned the country criticism from the West, especially the United States, which accused it of “repeating itself like a parrot” . Russian and Chinese propaganda.” (JO)