UWC President: Zelenskyy’s UN General Assembly speech a ‘wake-up call’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech this week at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly was a “wake-up call” as it noted the body’s failures to guarantee international security and uphold the sovereignty of states, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) head Paul Grod said. 

Speaking to state broadcaster Suspilne on Sept. 25, Grod echoed Zelenskyy’s warning that the UN has too often fallen short in its founding mission. 

“I agree with President Zelenskyy’s remarks at the General Assembly, where he noted that the UN is effectively failing in its role. The organization does not always act appropriately and often lacks the resolve to defend international security and the rights of states,” Grod said.

Grod said that the UN, despite more than 80 years of history, has strayed from its core principles. In response, he said that new coalitions of allied states are increasingly emerging that are often capable to act more decisively than traditional international structures. 

“That is why President Zelenskyy urged countries to independently develop their capacity for defense, stressing that only possessing the means to protect themselves can guarantee security. These words were a real ‘wake-up call’ for the members of the General Assembly,” Grod said.

Grod considers Zelenskyy’s statements entirely accurate, as they reveal the UN’s limited effectiveness as a mechanism for safeguarding international rights.

“In response to these challenges, informal coalitions of allied states are increasingly forming, capable of acting more decisively and effectively than traditional international structures,” he said.

The UWC delegation is participating in events of the 80th UN General Assembly. Among other activities, Grod joined a meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and attended the fifth International Crimea Platform summit.

“We are actively working with President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation to ensure maximum support for Ukraine,” Grod said in an address from the summit.

He said that the UN conferences drew the attention of world leaders, which is crucial for strengthening ongoing support for Ukraine, recognizing its territorial integrity, and highlighting the work of the UWC.

“We were able to support the work of the Ukrainian government, ensuring that the countries where we live continue to provide their support,” he said.