Ukraine Hopes UN Allows President Zelensky To Address UN General Assembly Via Video

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Wikimedia Commons/President Of Ukraine)

JAKARTA - The 193-member UN General Assembly will consider a proposal for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address the annual meeting of world leaders next week, with a pre-recorded video.

Diplomats expect Russia to propose a vote on the proposed decision, which has been drafted by Ukraine.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Wednesday Russia was against allowing President Zelensky to speak via video.

"Zelensky traveled very well around the country. But he couldn't come here. And if you can't come, that means you send your representatives to speak at the General Assembly," Nebenzia told reporters.

In a note to General Assembly members, seen by Reuters, the UN Ukraine mission said President Zelensky "could not participate directly at General Assembly meetings, due to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine."

President Zelensky is currently scheduled to address the UN summit on Wednesday 21 September.

The draft decision to be considered on Friday said it would not set "a precedent for future general debate and mandate high-level meetings planned for future high-level weeks."

It is known that for the past two years world leaders have been allowed to submit video statements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, this year they are expected to travel to New York to speak in the UN General Assembly chamber.