Zelensky Urges UN to Choke Russia's War Funds, Warns of Winter Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday to press world leaders to tighten the financial squeeze on Moscow, arguing that trade with Russia directly extends the war.

"Russia's revenues must remain a target," he said, warning that countries which deepen commercial ties with Moscow are effectively buying more time for the conflict. His message was blunt: "Limit his money. Limit his war."

Zelensky said Kyiv is itself working to cut Russian income streams as part of a broader effort to erode Moscow's ability to keep fighting. He argued that the longer President Vladimir Putin can sustain the war, the greater the damage he will leave behind.

Doubts on Putin's peace intentions

The Ukrainian leader questioned whether Putin genuinely seeks an end to the fighting, saying something always appears to hold him back from declaring an end to the war. He described Putin as "Patient Zero" for the spread of conflict, contending that Russia's invasion has fed wider global instability and that this source of aggression must be stopped.

Scale of Russia's aerial campaign

Zelensky told the assembly that Russia has fired 63,000 attack drones of various types at Ukraine so far this year, underscoring the intensity of Moscow's air war. He said Ukraine's resistance had shown that a smaller state can survive against a far larger adversary, and called on other nations to deny Russia both money and foreign manpower for its military machine.

Foreign fighters and North Korean troops

He accused Russia of drawing on citizens from 47 countries to fight in Ukraine, naming Ghana, Nepal and India among the places from which people had been pulled into the conflict. He portrayed Putin as perpetually searching for more recruits to seize additional territory rather than focusing on governing Russia.

Zelensky also highlighted Moscow's deepening military ties with North Korea, saying Ukrainian forces had captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops and that the prisoners were later sent to South Korea. He noted that taking them alive had been difficult.

Winter warning on energy

Looking ahead to the colder months, Zelensky warned that Ukraine could strike Russian heating and energy infrastructure if Moscow keeps targeting Ukrainian civilian energy facilities. He said Ukrainians know the coming winter may be severe, and that Kyiv would have little choice but to make the consequences painful for Russia as well.

He nevertheless said Ukraine's aim is not to destroy Russia's supplies of gasoline and diesel, but to cut off the revenues that bankroll Moscow's war effort.

Drone diplomacy

Zelensky pointed to Ukraine's rapid emergence as a leader in drone technology, saying Kyiv is already working with partners in the Gulf, the South Caucasus and across Europe on drone deals. He announced a new drone agreement with Finland, said drones feature in a security pact signed with Australia, and added that a similar arrangement with Canada is in preparation.

'We choose not to die'

Responding to the impression that Ukraine speaks only of weapons, defence and sanctions, Zelensky said those priorities are a response to invasion rather than a preference. "Ukrainians did not choose this war," he said. "We choose not to die. … We are defending ourselves."