Zelensky in New York, here in 2019, before the war. Bild: lev radin/ Shutterstock.com
Scholz and Selenskyj meet in New York. Different views clash. Will the Chancellor thwart the President’s plan for victory?
During the annual UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council met on Tuesday afternoon (local time) for a controversial session to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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Despite global attention on other conflicts – such as in Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar – the Ukrainian government and its allies are pushing to make the conflict in Ukraine a top priority.
Zelenskyj’s passionate appeal to the Security Council
In a powerful speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the 15 Council members to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression:
Russia is committing an international crime. This war must not be forgotten and cannot be settled by mere talks. Decisive action is needed,” Zelensky stressed. “Russia can only be forced into peace.
Zelensky also pointed out that Russia is allegedly planning attacks on the three Ukrainian nuclear power plants. “We have evidence of this. If Russia dares to take this step, it will mean that Moscow has no regard for international values,” he warned urgently.
He announced that he would work out a new “victory plan” based on the UN Charter and organize a peace conference to which China and India would also be invited. However, details of this plan remained under wraps for the time being.
Guterres makes a strong appeal for an end to the war
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the urgency of ending the war in Ukraine, which has caused untold human suffering and driven up grain and energy prices around the world.
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He highlighted the UN’s role in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to millions of people in Ukraine and called on donor countries to increase funding. With winter approaching, only half of the UN’s aid plan has been funded, Guterres said.
Antony Blinken targets aid for Russia
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called on the Security Council to take decisive action against the supply of weapons from North Korea and Iran to Russia. He reiterated his earlier claim that Russia was sharing “nuclear technology and space intelligence” with Iran in exchange for Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.
Blinken stressed that any diplomatic solution must ensure Ukraine’s full sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intention to annex large parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
Blockade in the Security Council exacerbates tensions
The UN Security Council has been at an impasse since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia, as a permanent member with veto power, consistently blocks all resolutions calling for an immediate troop withdrawal.
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Attempts by the Western community to separate China from the phalanx with Russia have so far been unsuccessful. India – another important member of the BRICS group of states – is also sending out mixed signals.
Open conflict between Scholz and Selenskyj
On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a diplomatic tug-of-war over Ukraine’s military future has emerged.
At the meeting between Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, it became clear that this is a meeting between two heads of state whose countries are linked by an alliance but are divided on the question of the further use of weapons against Russia.
Scholz: No relaxation of rules on arms deliveries
Against the backdrop of the headlines surrounding the meeting, one message was particularly important: Germany will not change its position. Scholz reiterated, as reported by the South German Timesthat the strict rules for the use of German weapons would not be relaxed.
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This was a clear signal to Zelensky, who had traveled to the US with great expectations and a so-called victory plan. He hopes to convince the allies to allow him to use Western weapons against targets deep inside Russia.
Selenskyj pushes for more military support
Ukraine sees itself under military pressure and is looking for ways to stop Russian attacks at the source – for example, at distant airports and bases.
The focus is on US ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The Ukrainian president presented his “Victory Plan” as the path that will lead to peace in the coming year.
The reaction of the allies
While US President Joe Biden has so far refused to make a commitment, Zelensky is trying to change the minds of his allies. He has apparently raised this issue several times in New York.
But Scholz made it clear in New York that Germany is sticking to its previous position. The delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, said the Chancellor, is not compatible with his personal position.
Escalation feared
The German government sees the stationing of long-range weapons on Russian territory as a danger of escalation and even confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reinforces these fears by claiming that the deployment of these weapons would be tantamount to NATO entering the war. Zelensky, on the other hand, argues that only a militarily strengthened Ukraine can persuade Russia to enter into real peace negotiations.
Political tightrope walk
Scholz is under observation not only internationally, but also domestically, especially with a view to the election campaign next year. He wants to be seen as a supporter of Ukraine, but also as a guarantor of peace. Zelenskyj, on the other hand, appeals to the legacy of today’s world leaders and warns on the short message service X that the decisions are being made now.
The future of Ukraine remains a central issue in international politics and the meeting between Scholz and Zelenskyj in New York has once again shown how complex and controversial the path to peace is.
