Ukrainian President’s Address to the United Nations
After hearing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to the United Nations (UN) on 24 September 2025, the urgent need to address drone warfare and its escalation across Eastern Europe and the world has become increasingly evident.
Weapons are evolving faster than our ability to defend ourselves.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Analysis: Zelensky’s Drone Warfare Warning at the U.N.
In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Zelenskyy issued a warning about the evolving nature of modern warfare and illuminated the growing threat posed by drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI). He described the current global arms race as “the most destructive in human history,” highlighting the rapid advancements in drone technology and their implications for international security.
We need global rules now for how AI can be used in weapons, and this is just as urgent as preventing nuclear weapons.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For much of the last three years, Zelenskyy’s speeches abroad have been focused on Ukraine’s immediate needs for air defense systems and financial support. However, in New York, Zelenskyy argued that what happens in Ukraine will set the precedent for how aggression is handled elsewhere. “This is not about Ukraine alone,” he told the UN assembly. “It is about whether there will be any rules tomorrow.”
War technology doesn’t care about geography anymore; it’s reshaping it.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The Rise of Drone Warfare
Zelensky pointed to recent incidents, such as the Russian drone incursion into Poland, as evidence of the expanding reach and capabilities of drones. These drones can operate beyond traditional battlefields when equipped with AI, posing new challenges for defense systems and international norms.
Stopping that kind of [drone] attack is harder than stopping any gun, knife, or bomb. This is what Russia has brought with its war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
He noted that weapons, particularly drones, are evolving faster than the ability of nations to defend against them.
It used to be that only the strongest countries could use drones, because they were expensive and complex; now, even simple drones can fly thousands of kilometers.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s Response and Global Implications
In response to these threats, Ukraine accelerated its development and deployment of advanced drone technologies. The country’s military introduced systems like the RAM-2X, a loitering munition capable of carrying a warhead up to 3kg and reaching speeds of 160km per hour. These capabilities position Ukraine as a leader in drone warfare technology.
Now there are tens of thousands of people who know how to professionally kill using drones.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
As nations grapple with the implications of AI-driven weapons, President Zelenskyy’s remarks at the UN for international dialogue and the establishment of regulatory frameworks become increasingly pertinent. The trajectory of drone warfare will significantly influence global security dynamics in the coming years, and Ukraine is at the forefront of this emerging technology.
Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Watch Zelenskyy’s full address to the United Nations here: