At UN Assembly, Ukraine and Russia trade sharp warnings ahead of winter
At the UN General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian and Russian officials issued tough statements over the coming winter and strikes on energy infrastructure, as the US pushes for a diplomatic settlement while Russia insists on a lasting peace rather than a truce.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York has become a stage for fresh statements on the war in Ukraine. Speaking from the UN's main podium, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russia that the coming winter could prove painful for Russia as well, unless de-escalation steps are taken before the cold sets in.
Both sides have intensified strikes on civilian infrastructure, including fuel stations on both Ukrainian and Russian territory, as frontline advances remain limited. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said neither side can win on the battlefield, making a diplomatic settlement necessary. He noted that strikes on the energy sector complicate matters further, since oil and gas affect the entire world.
Washington has attempted to broker presidential-level contact by inviting Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit, but Russia's delegation in New York was led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rather than the president. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia seeks not a temporary ceasefire but a lasting peace, stressing that this position has not changed.
The central sticking point remains the status of occupied territories. US President Donald Trump could not directly answer whether Ukraine should make territorial concessions, though he expressed confidence the two sides would reach an agreement, praising Ukrainian fighters and their leadership.
In Russia, following State Duma elections, authorities have used the official results as a form of endorsement for their actions. President Putin addressed frontline soldiers, saying the vote was cast in their support. Speculation about a new mobilization wave has so far not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the EU still sees no signs that Russia is preparing forces for a confrontation with NATO. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Russia simply lacks the spare resources, as they remain tied up in Ukraine. However, Spanish outlet El Mundo reported that the CIA warned France, Spain and Italy of a possible Russian hybrid operation in the Mediterranean, potentially using drones launched from shipping containers, following the same principle as last year's strikes deep inside Russian territory.
