President Zelenskyy: There can be no just peace without Ukraine

“It is the Ukrainian people who feel the full pain of this war. It’s Ukrainian children who are learning to distinguish the sounds of different types of artillery and drones because of Russia’s war. It’s our people who are forcefully separated by occupation because Putin decided he could do whatever he wants,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly on September 25.

Today, I want to tell you about a day that has already passed, and a day that must never come.

On the night of March 4th, 2022, I received one of the most terrifying reports since the beginning of a full-scale Russian invasion against Ukraine.

The report was about Russian tanks firing directly at the buildings of our Ukrainian nuclear power plant. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The largest one in Europe. Six nuclear reactors. The Russian army stormed this facility just as brutally as any other during this war. Without thinking about the consequences. Possibly disastrous. This was one of the most horrifying moments of the war, when no one could know how Russian strikes on the nuclear facility would end, and everyone in Ukraine was reminded of what Chornobyl means.

Now, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains occupied by Russian forces. Unfortunately. And it’s at risk of a nuclear incident. This is the major source of radiation danger in Europe, possibly in the world.

That’s why, in the Peace Formula I presented, the first point is about nuclear safety.

In Ukraine, we know exactly what we’re dealing with. And I want to thank you – the General Assembly members – for adopting a resolution in July this year on the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Most in the world understand – what’s at stake. The General Assembly demanded that Russia return control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine. Only then real nuclear security will return to Europe and the world.

And now about the day that must never come.

Since Russia can’t defeat our people’s resistance on the battlefield, Putin is looking for other ways to break the Ukrainian spirit. One of his methods is targeting our energy infrastructure. These are deliberate Russian attacks on our power plants, and the entire energy grid. As of today, Russia has destroyed all our thermal power plants and a large part of our hydroelectric capacity. This is how Putin is preparing for winter – hoping to torment millions, millions of Ukrainians… Ordinary families – women, children… Ordinary towns, ordinary villages. Putin wants to leave them in the dark and cold this winter, forcing Ukraine to suffer and surrender. Just imagine, please, your country with 80 percent of its energy system gone – with such a destroyed part of the system. What kind of life would that be?

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine