“Ukraine Is Only the First”: Zelenskyy Warns of Rising Global Threats
Published Date: 24th Sep, 2025
New York, September 24, 2025 — Addressing the 80th U.N. General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a stark message to the world: Ukraine is not just an isolated victim — it’s a harbinger of a broader security crisis. He urged global leaders to act decisively to prevent a dangerous escalation of aggression.
A Dire Message: “Only the First”
Zelenskyy’s speech painted a picture of a world caught in the throes of a rapidly intensifying arms race—driven not only by conventional weapons but increasingly by drones and artificial intelligence. He warned that Russia’s aggression is already stretching beyond Ukraine’s borders, with drone incursions penetrating European airspace and posing a threat to nations further afield.
“Ukraine is only the first, and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe,” Zelenskyy cautioned. “Russian operations are already spreading across countries, and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it.”
He emphasized the urgency of reinforcing international norms and institutions, arguing that silence or delay would only embolden aggressors.
The Threat of a New Kind of War
A central pillar of Zelenskyy’s warning was the danger of fully autonomous warfare. He predicted a future in which drones wage war on behalf of machines, attacking infrastructure and populations “all by themselves, fully autonomous and no human involved.” He also raised the possibility—alarming to many—that such systems could eventually carry nuclear payloads.
In Zelenskyy’s view, the world now faces “the most destructive arms race in human history.” He argued that traditional security arrangements and diplomatic frameworks are failing to keep pace with the technological shift in warfare.
Expanding Frontlines — Not Just Ukraine
While many view the Russo-Ukrainian conflict as a regionally contained war, Zelenskyy insisted the stakes are global. He cited airspace violations in Poland and Estonia, the potential destabilization of Moldova, and the spread of hybrid warfare tactics as evidence of creeping escalation.
He also accused Russia of leveraging alliances with countries such as Iran and North Korea to multiply its military reach.
Zelenskyy called on the U.N. and world powers to step up with enforceable security guarantees—not vague promises but binding protections backed by real deterrents.
Reactions and Shifts in Global Posture
Zelenskyy’s address came after a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who surprised many by declaring he now believes Ukraine can reclaim all its territory. Trump also used his U.N. speech to criticize the United Nations and call for more aggressive NATO responses to Russian air violations.
Meanwhile, Russia’s military pressure on Ukraine continues unabated: a large-scale missile and drone barrage on September 20 wounded dozens and struck multiple regions. Ukraine says it retaliated by targeting Russian energy infrastructure in key regions.
The clash between rhetoric and action was stark. Zelenskyy insisted that without decisive global will, the war's destructive trajectory will only accelerate.
What It Means Going Forward
Zelenskyy’s “only the first” warning encapsulates a shift in narrative—from seeing Ukraine as a unique victim to viewing it as a frontline state in a broader global struggle. The speech underscored:
-
The urgency of updating global arms control regimes to include AI and autonomous systems
-
The need for credible defense assurances for borders and infrastructure across Europe
-
The risk that inaction invites further aggression, not just regionally but globally
In the coming weeks, international responses—both military and diplomatic—will reveal whether Zelenskyy’s warning spurs action or becomes another echo in a world unprepared to counter the next wave of warfare.
Date: 24th Sep, 2025
