Ukraine's Zelenskyy to attend UN annual meet in-person to woo hesitant countries: Report

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission at upcoming United Nations General Assembly, where he aims to leverage his personal charm to secure international support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, reported Politico.

Zelenskyy's mission is to engage in one-on-one discussions with a range of hesitant countries, particularly from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, known collectively as Global South. His objective is to persue se nations to align with Kyiv against Moscow.

Ukrainian leer plans to articulate his case not only through a speech at UN General Assembly but also by conducting a series of meetings with fellow world leers. Despite challenges posed by nations reluctant to take sides, Ukraine believes that rallying support from various corners of globe is crucial for achieving lasting peace.

Diplomacy amid global impatience

Ukraine is acutely aware of a growing sense of global impatience as conflict with Russia persists. Zelenskyy's decision to personally attend UN garing underscores Ukraine's determination to garner international solidarity.

Zelenskyy's diplomatic efforts are part of a broer surge in Ukrainian diplomacy, coinciding with Kyiv's military counteroffensive against Russia. A senior Ukrainian official spoke to Politico, stating, "To secure a comprehensive, long-lasting peace, we need more than Western political support. We have to have many countries on board, including from Global South because ir voices matter."

Two key objectives in New York

During his visit to New York, Zelenskyy has two main tactical goals. Firstly, he seeks support for 10-point peace proposal that Ukraine has been promoting globally since last fall. While Ukraine understands that not all countries may endorse every point, it hopes to rally support for those aspects that align with comfort levels of various nations.

Secondly, Zelenskyy aims to dress food security crisis precipitated by Russia's invasion. This crisis has deepened due to Moscow's abandonment of Black Sea Grain Initiative, impacting export of Ukrainian agricultural products. Zelenskyy intends to explore alternative export strategies and persue Global South countries to pressure Russia to halt actions affecting food prices.

Challenges and high-stakes diplomacy

While Zelenskyy's mission is ambitious, it faces significant challenges. Many countries he plans to appeal to maintain economic and security ties with Russia, and some side with Moscow in conflict. geopolitics of se negotiations is furr complicated by concerns about America and Europe's perceived decline, reported Politico.

Noneless, upcoming UN General Assembly offers a unique platform for Zelenskyy to amplify his message. A potential special UN Security Council session on Ukraine could le to a rare face-off between Zelenskyy and a Russian representative.