VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine, recalling the beginning the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion against his country — “a day that has already passed” — described the storming of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by the Russian Federation army as “one of the most horrifying moments of the war”.  Lamenting about the continued occupation of the plant by the Russian Federation forces, he warned of a nuclear incident risk.  “This is the major source of radiation danger in Europe, possibly in the world,” he stressed.  He underscored that nuclear safety is the top priority in his Peace Formula, welcoming the adoption by the Assembly of a resolution demanding Moscow to return control of the nuclear power plant to Ukraine.

Turning to the “the day that must never come”, he said the Russian Federation is trying “to break the spirit” of the Ukrainians by having destroyed all thermal power plants and a large part of the hydroelectric capacity.  “This is how [Russian Federation President Vladimir V.] Putin is preparing for winter — hoping to torment millions of Ukrainians,” he said, warning that, according to his intelligence, Moscow plans attacks on nuclear power plants and their infrastructure, aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid.  Painting a grim picture of consequence of a possible nuclear disaster, he stressed that radiation will not respect State borders.  “A day like that must never come,” he emphasized, urging the international community to put pressure on the aggressor.

Reflecting on Ukraine’s ongoing war efforts, he emphasized that “no just peace is possible without Ukraine”, as the Ukrainian people bear the full brunt of the conflict.  Putting a spotlight on his Peace Formula — supported by nearly 100 nations — he said it offers “no veto right, no blocking authority” and ensures equality among nations — something that Moscow hates and cannot accept.  He highlighted the failure of the Security Council in dealing with the war, noting that “too much depends on the veto power”, but expressed confidence in his Peace Formula, which prioritizes nuclear safety, energy security, food security, the return of prisoners of war and the protection of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Against that backdrop, he criticized “alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans” to the Peace Formula, adding that such attempts “not only ignore the interests and suffering of the Ukrainians”, but also give “Putin the political space to continue the war”.  “Any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve a lull instead of an end to the war,” he asserted.  “Everyone must understand — you will not boost your power at Ukraine’s expense,” he stated, appealing for a unified international response to ensure “a real and just peace” for Ukraine.