Zelenskyy warns world of ‘most destructive arms race in history,’ says weapons will decide who survives

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged world leaders to act to prevent Russia from driving “the most destructive arms race in human history,” warning that the convergence of drone technology and artificial intelligence could have catastrophic consequences and that Putin seeks to expand his war in Europe.

“We are now living through the most destructive arms race in history," Zelenskyy said at the UN General Assembly. “Ukraine is only the first and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe, and Russian operations are already spreading across countries and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.”

The Ukrainian leader stressed that national security depends on self-reliance and military strength. “No one but ourselves can guarantee security. Only strong alliances, only strong partners and only our own weapons. The 21st century isn’t much different from the past. If a nation wants peace it still has to work on weapons. … Not international law, not cooperation – but weapons decide who survives,” he said.

Zelenskyy’s comments came a day after he met with President Donald Trump, who expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts and criticised Russia.

Trump said Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shift from the US leader’s repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war.

  Zelenskyy also warned Wednesday that Europe could not afford to lose strategically located Moldova to Russian influence, following Belarus and Georgia into Moscow’s orbit.

“Russia’s trying to do to Moldova what Iran once did to Lebanon and the global response again, not enough. We have already lost Georgia in Europe… and for many, many years, Belarus has also been moving toward dependence on Russia. Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova too,” he said at the UN General Assembly.

Zelenskyy on Tuesday accused Russia of “weaponising” food, energy, and even abducted children in its war against Ukraine, warning world leaders that similar tactics could be used against them.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Zelenskiy said, “When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there. The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against you — against the international rules-based order.”

He highlighted the impact on global fuel and food supplies, and drew attention to what Ukraine says are tens of thousands of children taken from their families following Russia’s invasion. Zelenskiy added, “Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide.”

With inputs from agencies