NEW YORK — The second day of the UN General Assembly’s high-level debate on Wednesday focused on the war in Ukraine and a renewed push by African nations for reform of the UN Security Council, as world leaders offered sharply different assessments of the United Nations’ ability to deliver peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the assembly that Russia had lost nearly 250,000 troops on the battlefield between January and August this year. Estonia’s President Alar Karis called the aggression “one of the biggest tests for the UN’s relevance,” pointing to attacks on Black Sea ports and the resulting threat to global food security. Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs warned: “What happens in Ukraine does not stay in Ukraine.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also addressed the assembly, saying Iran is ready for negotiations to end its conflict with the United States but warning Tehran will never surrender nor give up its nuclear program. Day two also featured a renewed African push for Security Council reform, with leaders pressing for stronger representation of Africa on the global stage. Other speakers included Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who accused the UN of failing to guarantee collective security, while Czechia’s President Petr Pavel described the organization as indispensable, particularly as a forum for dialogue between adversaries. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for renewed nuclear non-proliferation efforts and strict regulation of artificial intelligence. The focus turns Thursday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to address the assembly, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expected to appear by video after the United States denied him a visa.
UN General Assembly Day Two: Ukraine Takes Center Stage as Africa Demands Security Council Reform
