International Desk (EFE).- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday appealed to the United States and China to use their influence to pressure Russia into a ceasefire, as the war enters its fourth year.
His call came during a heated week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where US President Donald Trump signaled a major shift in stance, declaring that Ukraine can reclaim its occupied territories with European support, while NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies discussed defending their airspace against Russian incursions.
Zelenskyy presses Beijing and Washington for action
Speaking at a UN Security Council session, Zelenskyy said Russia relies heavily on China and urged Beijing to intervene.
“China is a nation on which Russia fully depends. If China really wanted to stop this war, it could force Moscow to end the invasion, because without China, Putin’s Russia is nothing,” he said, criticizing Beijing for being “distant and silent instead of seeking peace.”
Zelenskyy confirmed he had met with Trump earlier in the day, noting they discussed “some good ideas” and adding: “I now expect US actions to push Russia to peace.”
He lamented the UN’s limited influence, saying the body “now has less influence and often lacks real decision-making power on fundamental issues.”
The Ukrainian leader also announced plans to introduce a General Assembly resolution condemning Russia for the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
At a meeting with 43 nations in the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Zelenskyy urged sanctions against individuals involved in the abductions.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Moscow of targeting vulnerable minors.
“Soldiers have entered classrooms, forcibly removing children to schools and orphanages in Russia. Losing a child is every parent’s nightmare; for Ukrainians, it is a horrifying reality,” he said, pledging Canadian investment in AI systems to track abducted children.
Trump backs NATO response and Ukraine’s offensive
In a sharp departure from previous efforts to negotiate with Moscow, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Ukraine “has a great spirit” and could “recover its country in its original form and perhaps even go further,” describing Russia as “a paper tiger” after more than three years of conflict.
“Putin and Russia are in serious economic trouble, and this is the moment for Ukraine to act,” Trump posted, adding that with time, patience, and European financial backing, Ukraine can restore its original borders.
The US president also endorsed a stronger NATO stance, backing allies who might shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace after recent incidents in Poland, Romania, Estonia, and Denmark.
“Yes,” Trump told reporters when asked if he supported such action, though he added it would “depend on the circumstances.”
Trump further urged Europe to stop purchasing Russian energy, warning they were “financing a war against themselves.”
EU welcomes Washington’s shift
The apparent shift from Washington was welcomed by the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who described Trump’s remarks as “very strong.”
“It is very good that now we have the same understanding,” she told reporters at UN headquarters. “We must stop buying Russian energy, and Ukraine must win the war.”
The NATO alliance also issued a warning to Moscow, pledging to defend its members against “reckless” drone and fighter incursions into European skies.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the presence of drones near Copenhagen airport a “serious attack” on national infrastructure.
As Russia’s invasion drags into its 43rd month, Zelenskyy reiterated that only unified international pressure can halt the conflict.
“Peace will not come from silence. It must be forced upon the aggressor,” he told world leaders in New York. EFE
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