Zelensky calls on UN General Assembly to recognize Russia as state sponsor of terrorism

KYIV. Sept 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the UN General Assembly, called on the participants to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

In his video message, the head of state drew attention to the elements of global security that the Russian Federation had undermined during the war, in particular: food, radiation, energy, navigation and security from weapons of mass destruction.

He noted that Ukraine was recently restoring the safety of navigation and food security. At the same time, he thanked the UN Secretary General for his personal involvement, adding that a number of European, African and Asian countries that had already received Ukrainian agricultural products.

In the short term, according to the president, it is necessary to increase the supply of these states by sea, both on market terms and under the UN food programme.

"But it is more difficult with other security elements. On the eve of the General Assembly meeting, Russia fired missiles at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant. The missiles exploded only three hundred meters from the walls of the reactors. Russian radiation blackmailing is something that should concern each and every one of you, because none of you will find a vaccine against radiation sickness," Zelensky said, stressing that this happened after the IAEA called on Russia to stop any hostile activity against Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.

He also recalled the energy crisis provoked by the Russian Federation. According to Zelensky, in order to avoid it and restore energy and price security in the world, Western countries should limit export prices for Russian energy resources.

At the same time, in order to restore all the elements of global security in the world, as the head of the Ukrainian state emphasized, it is necessary to take only one strong step, the time for which has long come.

"We must finally recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. At all levels. In all countries that confess the values of peace and protection of human life. Legally. Politically. This step will put everything in place. After the Russian missile terror. After the massacres. After Mariupol. After the burning of Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka by the Russian military. After blocking the ports. After the strikes of Russian tanks and missiles on nuclear power plants. And after threats to use nuclear weapons, which have become the rule, not the exception, for Russian propagandists," Zelensky said.

According to him, if a state lacks the necessary legal mechanisms, they can make a political decision at the level of parliaments.

"It is necessary to take only one strong step, after which everything will become clear," the president said.

He also noted that global security cannot be restored without restoring the territorial integrity of the one against whom the armed aggression was directed.