UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned world leaders on Wednesday that humanity is in the midst of “the most dangerous arms race ever seen” and pressed the international community to take swift action against Russia, asserting that Vladimir Putin seeks to further expand the conflict in Europe.

Delivering a sobering message to the gathered delegates at the U.N. General Assembly’s annual high-level debate, Zelenskyy criticized the inability of global institutions, including the United Nations, to stop conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. He argued that current international laws are insufficient to protect nations from foreign aggression.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the United Nations General Assembly during its 80th session on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the United Nations General Assembly during its 80th session on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

“Weapons determine survival,” Zelenskyy stated. “Security today comes down to allies and arms.”

Speaking from the United Nations’ prominent platform just a day after a meeting with President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy alluded to the U.S. leader’s supportive stance. Trump, on Tuesday, voiced confidence that Ukraine could reclaim its lost territory and criticized Russia’s actions—a notable departure from his earlier calls for compromise from Kyiv to bring the war to a close, following Putin’s full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.

Zelenskyy refrained from directly addressing Trump’s shift in tone, stating simply that they had “a constructive meeting” and acknowledging strong leaders “committed to real change.”

He expressed gratitude for the support of the United States and European nations, calling on all U.N. member states to denounce Russia’s continued efforts to prolong the war.

Zelenskyy warned that unless Putin is halted now, he will continue expanding the conflict. “Ukraine is only his starting point,” he cautioned. “Russian drones are already spreading across Europe, and their military presence is extending into new territories.”

Concerns Over Moldova

Touching on Russia’s meddling in neighboring states, Zelenskyy urged the world not to ignore Moldova’s vulnerability to Russian influence. Unlike Georgia and Belarus, Moldova must not fall under Moscow’s shadow, he said. “Europe cannot afford another loss. Moldova needs energy, financial assistance, and more than symbolic support.”

Since the war began, Zelenskyy said military technology, particularly drones, has rapidly advanced, outpacing the development of effective defense systems. He noted that while drones once belonged mainly to large powers, they are now widely accessible and weaponized.

He pointed out that drone disruptions have brought airports across Europe to a halt, and mentioned a recent announcement from North Korea about testing a tactical drone—proof that even smaller economies can produce significant threats.

“We’re living through the most destructive arms race in history, and now artificial intelligence is part of it,” Zelenskyy said. “Firms are designing drones to intercept others, and soon we’ll see machines targeting infrastructure and populations autonomously—without human intervention, directed only by algorithms.”

He called for urgent international measures to regulate the use of AI in weaponry, backing U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his push for oversight comparable to nuclear arms control.

Preventing further aggression now, he said, is far more cost-effective than defending every civilian hub from drone attacks. He highlighted how Ukraine has had to build underground schools and hospitals to safeguard its people. “Halting the Russian threat today is less costly than waiting to confront a weaponized drone carrying a nuclear payload,” he warned.

“We must act collectively, with all available means, to bring the aggressor to a stop. Only then do we have hope of ending this arms race before it leads to a global disaster,” Zelenskyy concluded.

The Ukrainian president noted that while his country lacks the massive missiles often showcased by authoritarian regimes, it is developing drones with the capacity to fly thousands of kilometers—and these are already being deployed against Russian targets.

He also emphasized that Ukraine is creating a new global security framework. With over 30 nations joining its efforts, Ukraine is now opening its defense industry to international markets, offering systems proven in one of the most difficult conflicts in recent times, where conventional international mechanisms fell short.