Zelensky urges pressure on Russia at UN and says Ukraine sent two North Korean prisoners to South Korea
In his September 23 address to the UN General Assembly, Volodymyr Zelensky urged stronger pressure on Russia, more support for Ukraine’s defenses, and action to limit Russia’s ability to finance the war. He also said Ukraine had recently sent two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, and warned that the war’s effects could spread beyond Ukraine.
Key points
- Zelensky’s central message was to increase pressure on Russia while helping Ukraine defend itself and pursue an end to the war.
Evidence · 3 source statements
called for intensified pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine,
He called for continued sanctions, restrictions on trade with Russia and sustained international support for Ukraine through defence assistance and joint weapons production.
He called on world leaders to do everything in their power to help end this senseless war.
- His announcement that Ukraine had sent two North Korean prisoners to South Korea brought North Korea’s military role in the war into focus.
Evidence · 3 source statements
He said North Korean troops had suffered heavy losses and argued that Pyongyang was receiving military benefits in exchange, including improved missile and drone capabilities.
- Zelensky framed Russia’s war as a threat beyond Ukraine and connected it to risks from foreign fighters, military technology and artificial intelligence.
Evidence · 4 source statements
Mr. Zelenskyy also warned that Russia continues to threaten countries beyond Ukraine, including Moldova, Poland and the Baltic States, while showing “no respect” for the…
We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war,
As early as next year, there is already a real possibility that AI, not only people, will begin to decide what happens on the battlefield.
Who's involved
Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukraine’s president and the speaker at the UN address.
He called for stronger pressure on Russia, continued aid and defence cooperation for Ukraine, and limits on Russian war revenues. He argued that Russia’s war threatens other countries and warned of risks from North Korean military cooperation with Russia and from increasingly capable weapons.
What they said · 6 source statements
called for intensified pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine,
He called for continued sanctions, restrictions on trade with Russia and sustained international support for Ukraine through defence assistance and joint weapons production.
Limit his room to act, limit his money, limit his war.
Mr. Zelenskyy also warned that Russia continues to threaten countries beyond Ukraine, including Moldova, Poland and the Baltic States, while showing “no respect” for the…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on world leaders to curb the rapid development of lethal weapons which have allowed the Russia-Ukraine war to go as far as it…
South Korean government
South Korea was the intended destination for the two prisoners.
The government said it would accept the prisoners, whom it regards as South Korean citizens under its constitution, because they had expressed an intention to defect; it said it had consulted with Ukraine.
What they said · 1 source statement
Donald Trump
The US president had commented on possible limits on attacks against energy targets.
Trump urged Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries and said Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike energy targets.
What they said · 2 source statements
Trump has also urged Ukraine to halt its strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Trump said last week that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike energy targets
Yu Yong-weon
The South Korean lawmaker commented on how the prisoners’ transfer became public.
Yu criticized that Zelensky announced the transfer before South Korea’s government made an official announcement.
What they said · 1 source statement
It is regrettable that such a significant matter was first made known through President Zelenskyy rather than through an official announcement by our government,
What was reported
- Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly on September 23 and called for stronger pressure on Russia and help from world leaders to end the war.
Reported independently by 3: The Kyiv Independent, UN News, Ukrinform
Evidence · 3 source statements
President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Sept. 23, addressed the U.N. General Assembly, calling for continued support for Ukraine, stressing the importance of negotiations, and warning…
called for intensified pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine,
He called on world leaders to do everything in their power to help end this senseless war.
- Zelensky said Ukraine had recently sent two captured North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
One source: Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 2 source statements
- Zelensky said North Korean forces had suffered heavy losses in the war and that North Korea was gaining military benefits, including improved missile and drone capabilities.
Reported independently by 2: UN News, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 3 source statements
He said North Korean troops had suffered heavy losses and argued that Pyongyang was receiving military benefits in exchange, including improved missile and drone capabilities.
- He called for continuing sanctions, restricting trade with Russia, and sustaining defence assistance and joint weapons production for Ukraine.
Reported independently by 2: UN News, Ukrinform
Evidence · 2 source statements
He called for continued sanctions, restrictions on trade with Russia and sustained international support for Ukraine through defence assistance and joint weapons production.
That is precisely why we insist on restricting trade with the aggressor, and that is precisely why we ourselves are cutting into Russia’s revenues
- Zelensky called for air-defence support and described Ukraine’s work with European partners on the Freya anti-ballistic defence initiative.
Reported independently by 2: Der Spiegel, UN News
Evidence · 2 source statements
In response, Ukraine is expanding production of interceptor drones and developing new air defence capabilities with European partners through an anti-ballistic initiative known…
- He said Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in the war and urged countries to prevent their citizens from being drawn into it.
Reported independently by 2: AFP, The Kyiv Independent
Evidence · 2 source statements
We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war,
called for representatives of each nation not to let their citizens "end up on another front" and get dragged into Russia's war.
- Zelensky warned that Russia threatened countries beyond Ukraine, including Moldova, Poland and the Baltic states.
Reported independently by 2: UN News, Ukrinform
Evidence · 3 source statements
Mr. Zelenskyy also warned that Russia continues to threaten countries beyond Ukraine, including Moldova, Poland and the Baltic States, while showing “no respect” for the…
Russia has claims not only against Ukraine but also against other countries, including Moldova.
It [Russia] constantly threatens Poland and the Baltic states.
- He said Ukrainians expected a potentially harsh winter and warned that Ukraine would make the situation painful for Russia in response.
One source: The Guardian
Evidence · 2 source statements
Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us,
In response, we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too.
- Zelensky warned that artificial intelligence could begin making battlefield decisions as early as the following year.
One source: Ukrainska Pravda
Evidence · 2 source statements
As early as next year, there is already a real possibility that AI, not only people, will begin to decide what happens on the battlefield.
We need peace before we reach that point.
- Zelensky described Russia’s ability to finance the war as a target, distinguishing it from an aim to destroy Russia’s fuel supplies.
Reported independently by 2: AFP, UN News
Evidence · 2 source statements
Our target is Russia's ability to finance this war, to drag it out, to make it more brutal and more destructive,
Zelensky also insisted that it was not Ukraine's goal to destroy Russia's supplies of gasoline and diesel, but rather to deprive Moscow of the main source of revenue for its war…
How coverage differed
South Korean coverage — Focused on the prisoners’ transfer, their stated wish to defect, and South Korea’s consultations and response.
Ukrainian coverage — Gave particular attention to Zelensky’s calls to restrict Russia’s revenue and war-making capacity, as well as his warnings about Russia’s ambitions and the role of AI in future warfare.
UN and international coverage — Presented the address as a broader warning about the war’s effects beyond Ukraine, including threats to other countries and the danger to energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Still unclear
- The exact date and arrangements for the prisoners’ transfer were not specified.
Not heard from
- Russia — Russia is a direct party to the war and was criticized in the address, but no Russian official’s response to the speech appears here.
- North Korea — North Korea was accused of sending troops and receiving military benefits, but no North Korean official’s response appears here.
- The two North Korean prisoners — They were directly affected by the transfer, but neither prisoner is quoted in these reports.