'Not international law, but weapons decide who survives': Zelenskyy at UN General Assembly

The Ukrainian President’s Office broadcasted Zelenskyy’s speech.

"If a nation wants peace, it must take care of weapons. Not international law and cooperation, but precisely weapons decide who survives. You know very well that international law does not fully function if you do not have influential friends who are truly ready to defend it. And even that does not work without weapons," the president emphasized.

He also reproached that international institutions have proved too weak to stop bloodshed. Therefore, in his conviction, countries and nations that want to live in peace must arm themselves.

"The 21st century is almost no different from the past: a nation that seeks peace must work on armament. This is abnormal, but such is the reality — weapons decide who will survive... Ukrainians did not choose this reality; they are a peaceful people and want to live freely in an independent country," Zelenskyy stressed.

That is why, according to the head of state, Ukraine is investing in defense.

"For many nations, there is no other way out," the president concluded.

• Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that Russia continues the war by using its veto power in the UN Security Council, and noted that the United Nations has less influence.