Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Zelensky Urges Leaders to Limit Russia’s Revenues and War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to world leaders at the United Nations.
He asked countries to reduce the money Russia earns from trade.
He said Russia can use that money to keep fighting.
Zelenskyy also said Russia has used many drones and fighters from other countries.
He warned that Ukraine might attack Russian energy facilities if Russia keeps attacking Ukraine’s energy system.
He said Ukraine is defending itself because it did not start the war.
Russia’s foreign minister said Russia is willing to discuss a lasting peace.
However, he said Russia does not want a short pause that could help Ukraine get more weapons.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged governments to restrict Russia’s revenues and trade, arguing that money from commerce prolongs the war.
Zelenskyy questioned Vladimir Putin’s commitment to peace and called him the source of continuing instability.
Zelenskyy said Russia has launched 63,000 attack drones against Ukraine this year and recruited fighters from 47 countries.
He warned Ukraine could target Russian heating and energy infrastructure if Russia continues attacking Ukrainian civilian energy facilities.
Russia’s Sergey Lavrov said Moscow supports negotiations for lasting peace but rejects a temporary pause that could give Ukraine time to acquire weapons.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented opposing positions; Russian President Vladimir Putin was criticized by Zelenskyy.
- What
- Zelenskyy urged countries to restrict Russia’s revenues, trade and foreign support, while Lavrov said Russia favors negotiations for lasting peace but rejects a temporary pause.
- When
- Zelenskyy delivered his address on Wednesday, September 23; Russia was scheduled to address the General Assembly on Saturday.
- Where
- Zelenskyy spoke at the United Nations General Assembly, while Lavrov addressed the United Nations Security Council.
- Why
- Zelenskyy said limiting Russia’s income would reduce its ability to continue the war; Lavrov said a pause would give Ukraine and its supporters time to obtain more weapons.
Ukraine’s Position
Russia’s Position
Economic pressure
Ukraine’s Position
Zelenskyy argues that restricting Russia’s revenues and trade would reduce the resources available for its military campaign and help limit the war.
Russia’s Position
The articles do not provide a direct Russian response to Zelenskyy’s revenue proposal; Russia’s stated position is that it is prepared to negotiate a lasting peace.
Peace negotiations and a pause
Ukraine’s Position
Zelenskyy questions whether Putin genuinely wants peace and says Ukraine must continue receiving weapons, sanctions and defensive support because it did not choose the war.
Russia’s Position
Lavrov says Russia will not simply pause the war because that could give Ukraine and its supporters time to organize more weapons; he favors negotiations toward a lasting peace.
Energy infrastructure
Ukraine’s Position
Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine may make attacks on Russian heating and energy infrastructure painful if Russia continues attacking Ukrainian civilian energy facilities, while saying Ukraine’s goal is not to destroy Russia’s fuel supplies.
Russia’s Position
The articles do not state Russia’s response to the warning, but describe continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
- Economic pressure
- Zelenskyy said Russia’s revenues must remain a target and urged countries to limit trade with Moscow.
- Russian drone attacks
- Zelenskyy said Russia has launched 63,000 attack drones of different types against Ukraine this year.
- Foreign recruits
- Zelenskyy accused Russia of using citizens from 47 countries, including Ghana, Nepal and India.
- North Korean soldiers
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces and sent them to South Korea.
- Energy warning
- Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine could target Russian heating and energy infrastructure if Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian energy facilities continue.
- Drone cooperation
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine signed a new drone agreement with Finland, included drones in a security agreement with Australia and was preparing an agreement with Canada.
- War’s wider effects
- The conflict has affected fuel, fertilizer and grain shipments and widened divisions between Russia and the West.
