‘Stopping Putin now is cheaper’ – Zelenskyy urges global pressure on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday told the United Nations General Assembly halting Russian President Vladimir Putin and his aggression against Ukraine and other countries would cost less now than in the future.

He called on the international community to act jointly to force Russia into peace.

“Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port and vessel from terrorists and naval drones. Stopping war and an arms race is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers to shield critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said.

The President added the world must take decisive and united action against the aggressor. “If weapons and pressure on Russia are needed, they must be applied now. Otherwise, Putin will continue and expand the war,” he warned.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has long cautioned that it would not be the last target of Russian aggression.

“We said earlier that Ukraine is only the first. Now Russian drones are flying over Europe, and Russian operations are spreading across multiple countries. Putin wants this war to continue. No one can feel safe,” he stressed.