In a powerful speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that in today’s world, true security relies only on strong alliances, powerful friends, and weapons.
“Dear leaders, dear friends, and all those who can become our friends because you want security and peace as much as we do today. No one but ourselves can guarantee security. Only strong alliances, only strong partners, and only our weapons. The 21st century is not so different from the past. If a nation wants peace, it must still work with weapons. Not international law, not cooperation – but weapons decide who survives,” Zelensky said at the beginning of his speech.
The Ukrainian president stressed that international law alone is insufficient without powerful allies willing to defend it, noting that even laws fail without the means to enforce them.
“You know very well, international law does not fully work if you don’t have strong friends truly willing to defend it. And even that doesn’t work without weapons. It’s terrible, but without them, things would be even worse. There are no security guarantees except for friends and weapons,” Zelensky added.
The remarks highlight Ukraine’s urgent call for continued international military and political support amid Russia’s ongoing war.
