Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Delivers Stark Warning at UN General Assembly on AI Warfare and Global Arms Race
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a grave warning about the escalation of a global arms race, now intensified and reshaped by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in warfare. Zelenskyy urged the international community to urgently develop global regulations on the use of AI in weapons as the world faces what he called “the most destructive arms race in human history.”
Highlighting the failures of international institutions such as the United Nations to prevent wars and deliver security guarantees, Zelenskyy stressed that peace in today’s global landscape depends fundamentally on strong alliances and military readiness. “Weapons decide who survives,” he said, describing it as a harsh but unavoidable reality in a world where international law lacks enforceability without powerful military backing.
Zelenskyy referenced the ongoing conflict in Ukraine triggered by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, emphasizing the dire consequences of the war, including the use of chemical weapons, mass abductions of Ukrainian children, and repeated threats to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia. He warned about recent Russian drone and fighter jet incursions into NATO member countries Poland and Estonia, as well as Russian interference in Moldova, calling on the global community not to lose Moldova’s stability which he stated would be far costlier to the world than investing in its defense.
AI and Autonomous Drones: New Frontiers in Warfare
Central to Zelenskyy’s message was the alarming acceleration of the arms race fueled by advances in AI technology. He noted Ukraine has developed AI-enabled attack and sea drones, which have enabled his country to push back Russian naval forces and strike strategic military targets. The president warned about the dangers of fully autonomous drones fighting without human intervention, stressing the urgent need for international laws governing AI weaponry similar to nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
“Stopping this war now and within the global arms race is cheaper than building underground kindergartens or massive bunkers for critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy declared, framing the issue not only as a security imperative but also a matter of considerable economic prudence. He warned that failing to act now raises the grim prospect of the first deployment of drones carrying nuclear warheads, a development that could trigger catastrophic consequences worldwide.
Call for Global Unity and Support
Emphasizing that no country can guarantee its own security alone, Zelenskyy called for a strengthening of international coalitions supporting Ukraine. More than 40 nations have already joined Ukraine’s security efforts, but the president stressed that broader participation is essential to end Russia’s aggression and manage the global arms race.
“Please join us in defending life and international law and order. People are waiting for action,” he pleaded, urging nations to speak out, condemn Russia’s ongoing invasion, and contribute to Ukraine’s defense.
Zelenskyy’s remarks came at a time when global tensions are heightened over Russia’s incursions into NATO territories and growing concerns about the militarization of AI. The president’s appearance followed a notable shift in the stance of the United States, with former President Donald Trump expressing renewed support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim lost territories.
Context: Weak International Systems and Ongoing Conflicts
In his speech, Zelenskyy also underscored the ineffectiveness of global institutions to prevent conflict, citing other protracted wars and humanitarian crises in regions such as Sudan, Somalia, and Palestine as evidence of systemic failure in upholding peace and security. These examples form part of his broader argument that peace can only be secured through strength and preparedness, highlighting a grim reality facing the international order today.
His address is seen as a clarion call for a recalibration of international security policy in response to the evolving nature of war, especially in the age of AI-enhanced weapons systems.