00:00 In news overseas, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky took front and center in the 78th
00:05 convening of the United Nations General Assembly.
00:08 He hit on the United Nations for being ineffective in containing Russia's aggression against
00:13 his country and also sought to have the world body amend its rules on the Security Council
00:19 to put a vote on stripping Russia of its veto power in the powerful UN Council.
00:24 VUA's Veronica Balderas Iglesias hashes over the details in this report.
00:31 Despite Russia voicing its strong opposition and in compliance with the organization's
00:37 rules, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the first leader to address the United
00:42 Nations Security Council's meeting Wednesday.
00:46 He didn't just condemn Moscow's invasion of his country, but also the Council's veto system
00:53 that in his view enables it and called for reforms.
00:57 It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those
01:04 who condone the aggressor.
01:06 There is a need for a system to prevent aggression through early response to actions violating
01:10 territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.
01:15 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended his country's military operations and turned
01:20 a criticism on those supporting Ukraine.
01:26 The collective West led by the United States arbitrarily assumed the rank of arbiter of
01:32 the destinies of all mankind and overwhelmed by a complex of exclusivity began to increasingly
01:39 ignore the legacy of their founding fathers.
01:42 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken decried Russia's belligerence as a clear violation
01:48 of the UN Charter.
01:50 Some argue that continuing to stand with Ukraine and holding Russia accountable distracts us
01:56 from addressing other priorities like confronting the climate crisis, expanding economic opportunity,
02:01 strengthening health systems.
02:04 That is a false choice.
02:06 We can and we must do both.
02:09 We are doing both.
02:11 China opted to highlight its mediation efforts.
02:15 The core message is facilitating talks for peace.
02:19 After underlining his organization's commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial
02:24 integrity of Ukraine, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for restraint.
02:31 This war is already causing limitless suffering.
02:34 Its continuation risks further perilous escalation.
02:38 There is never an alternative to dialogue, diplomacy and a just peace.
02:44 Guterres added the United Nations will continue working toward a peaceful resolution to the
02:49 conflict in line with the UN Charter, international law and the resolutions of the General Assembly.
02:58 Veronica Valdez de Iglesias, VOA News, the United Nations.
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