Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, September 24, strongly criticized the United Nations, calling it a weak institution that is helpless in stopping war amid his country’s three-and-a-half-year defense against Russian invading forces.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Zelensky warned that the podium is only useful for words and not meaningful action.

“Nations can speak about their pain from stages like this, but even during bloodshed, there isn’t a single international institution that can truly stop it,” he said. “That’s how weak these institutions have become.” He added, “And because international institutions are too weak, this madness continues... Weapons decide who survives.”

The Ukrainian leader argued that a new arms race is now determining how countries interact, underscoring the lack of influence of international forums to enforce peace and security. Russia, which holds a veto in the U.N. Security Council, has consistently blocked any binding resolutions that could impose sanctions or authorize military action.

Zelensky’s appearance comes a day after he secured a political win following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he supports Ukraine retaking all territory Russia currently occupies, a departure from his earlier position suggesting Kyiv would have to cede land for peace.

In his own address to the U.N., US President Trump raised the possibility of imposing more economic pressure on Russia but conditioned any U.S. action on Europe committing to join, a move that faces significant bureaucratic and political challenges across the continent.