Kyiv. , Ukraine| September 24, 2025

Ukraine is Only the First”: Zelenskyy Warns UN Putin Seeks to Expand War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a stark warning to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today, stating that Russia’s invasion is not limited to Ukraine and that President Vladimir Putin is actively seeking to expand the war across Europe. In a powerful and urgent address, Zelenskyy appealed to world leaders to act now, asserting that the cost of stopping Russia today is far less than the price the world will pay later.

Headline Points

 * President Zelenskyy warned the UNGA that “Ukraine is only the first,” claiming Russia is seeking to expand its military operations beyond Ukrainian borders.

 * He cited recent Russian drone and fighter jet incursions into the airspace of NATO members Poland and Estonia as evidence of Moscow’s expansionist goals.

 * Zelenskyy argued that international institutions like the UN have proven “too weak” to stop wars and that “weapons decide who survives,” urging nations to join Ukraine’s security coalition.

 * The President called for the immediate development of “global rules” for the use of AI in weapons, saying the world is in “the most destructive arms race in history.”

 * The speech comes a day after Zelenskyy’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who, in a significant shift, has now stated he believes Ukraine can win back all of its territory.

A Dire Warning for Europe

Addressing a room full of global leaders, Zelenskyy painted a grim picture of a world where international law and institutions are failing to prevent bloodshed. He pointed to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Sudan as further proof of a broken system. “Weapons decide who survives,” he said, and “there are no security guarantees except friends and weapons.” Zelenskyy specifically warned that “Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries,” emphasizing that “Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.” He also highlighted the Kremlin’s interference in neighboring Moldova and Belarus, suggesting these nations could be next.

The Ukrainian leader’s warning is not an abstract one. In recent weeks, Russian drones and fighter jets have reportedly violated the airspace of NATO members Poland and Estonia, prompting both nations to scramble their own aircraft in response. These incursions, though not an act of war, are widely seen as deliberate tests of NATO’s resolve and a sign of Russia’s willingness to challenge the alliance on its eastern flank.

The Choice: Act Now or Pay Later

Zelenskyy passionately urged the international community to use all its resources to force Russia to stop, arguing that the consequences of inaction would be far more severe. “The facts are simple, stopping this war… is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers for critical infrastructure later,” he said. He further warned that a failure to stop Russia now would only lead to a more dangerous and costly arms race, with the potential for new threats, including drones carrying nuclear warheads.

In a nod to the changing geopolitical landscape, Zelenskyy acknowledged his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose recent “U-turn” on the war was widely reported. Trump, who has been critical of the war in the past, now says he believes Ukraine can win back all its territory, a position Zelenskyy welcomed as a “big shift.” The Ukrainian leader’s call for unity and action comes as his country has announced it will begin exporting domestically produced weapons to allies to help build a new security architecture.

A Call for a Global Reset

Zelenskyy’s address was not only a plea for more aid but also a profound critique of the current global order. He concluded by calling for a return to the principles of a world where security is a “right for everyone, not a privilege for a few nations.” His speech, delivered with urgency and passion, served as a chilling reminder that the conflict in Ukraine is not an isolated event but a potential harbinger of a more dangerous and unstable world.