Zelenskyy demands punishment for Russia’s war in Ukraine, describes grisly war crimes in stunning U.N. address

UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded that global leaders hold Russia accountable for its monthslong assault on his nation in a U.N. address to world leaders on Wednesday.

“Russia should pay for this war,” Zelenskyy said, calling for a special U.N. tribunal to “punish Russia.”

“We must finally recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism,” he said, reiterating previous calls made in the early days of the war.

Zelenskyy’s dramatic remarks, in English and nearly 30-minutes long, came on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops for war.

Zelenskyy, who has not left his war-weary nation since Russia’s full-throttle invasion in February, appeared virtually after an introduction by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the 77th U.N. General Assembly. Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal flanked Kuleba.

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