Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. (AP photo)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told world leaders Wednesday that Vladimir Putin is the only obstacle to ending “the ridiculous and never-ending war,” and he urged nations large and small to pressure the Russian president for peace by choking the country’s revenues and impeding its war efforts.
The ministry said its air defenses intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones over multiple Russian regions and Crimea, as well as the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Crimea is the peninsula that Russia seized by force and illegally annexed in 2014. Earlier reporting noted: Zelenskyy, at UN, urges leaders to keep choking Russia’s revenues and impede its war efforts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the world’s leaders Wednesday (September 24, 2026) to keep choking Russia’s revenues and impede its war efforts, telling the UN General Assembly that “Russia’s revenues must remain a target. Earlier reporting noted: Russia gets its turn Saturday (September 26, 2026) to address the assembly.
At the Security Council, Lavrov said Russia will not “pause” its military action, claiming Europe would use it to “pump” Ukraine with weapons. He also made no mention of any kind of grain and energy deal, called Ukraine’s government “terrorists,” and Moscow’s military operation aims to ensure Russia’s security and the rights of Russian speakers. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck Ukrainian military-industrial and energy facilities, logistics centers, and sea vessels overnight. And that is exactly why we insist on limiting trade with the aggressor, and why we are burning Russia’s revenues ourselves,” he said, speaking in English at the UN General Assembly. Lavrov told the UN Security Council on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) that Russia is prepared to negotiate toward a lasting peace but won’t just “pause” the war.
President Vladimir Putin hasn’t travelled to the gathering in years, sending Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instead. Mr. He argued that such a pause would buy Ukraine and its backers time to line up more weapons.
Earlier reporting noted: “When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time.
Rubio said reaching even a partial deal would be difficult but worthwhile, noting that Zelenskyy has publicly endorsed such a plan. The United States would be willing to help make it happen, Rubio said. The statement reiterated that the root causes of what it calls its “special military operation” must be addressed.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on the assembly sidelines and discussed the war. Russia’s Foreign Ministry made no mention of a partial deal on grain shipments in a statement after the Lavrov-Rubio meeting.
Earlier Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clashed with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and her country’s European supporters at a UN Security Council meeting, and Lavrov and U.S.