President Zelensky: Returning Crimea to Ukraine is a top priority
(Baonghean.vn) - At the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky criticized and accused Russia of annexing Crimea and provoking Ukraine; at the same time, he emphasized that his top priority is to return Crimea to Ukraine and end the war in Donbass.
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| Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: TASS |
"The war in Donbass has been going on for five years, since Russia annexed Crimea," Ukrainian President Zelensky began his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
"Today, when there are thousands of international laws and hundreds of organizations calling for the protection of peace, our country, with those "weapons" in its hands, is gradually losing its citizens, as well as protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity," said President Zelensky.
Referring to the war in eastern Ukraine, leader Zelensky said that so far more than 13,000 people have been killed, 30,000 injured, and more than 1.5 million people forced to leave their homes to seek refuge. "Every year, these numbers increase," said Mr. Zelensky.
Therefore, the President of Ukraine believes that, in the current context, any country must be responsible for the problems happening in the world, "In the world we live in, there cannot be "other countries' wars". None of you here can feel safe when there is a war in Ukraine, or in Europe. Things will become more serious if you think these things are unrelated and never related to you." - The President of Ukraine emphasized.
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| Crimea has been annexed by Russia since 2014. Photo: My Russia |
Speaking before the General Assembly, President Zelensky affirmed that, as the leader of Ukraine, his top task is to end the war in Donbass and return Crimea to Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky added that he would achieve this goal without paying for the lives of Ukrainians or the freedom of the nation. "This is why we need global support," Mr Zelensky said.
The President of Ukraine also stated that it is necessary to review modern rules in international relations and the rules of operation of international organizations, especially those institutions that are experiencing many "problems".
"We do not question the reliability of international organizations, especially the United Nations. However, we realize that the current operating mechanisms are no longer suitable, and are gradually revealing weaknesses and failures, requiring reform," the Ukrainian President said, adding that the ongoing hot spots of tension have global implications and will become serious if "ignored", because this is "the foundation of world wars".