President Zelenskyy hails India as “mostly” aligned with Ukraine, praises Trump’s backing, and warns UNGA of AI-driven warfare risks, urging global rules to avert catastrophic arms races….reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced cautious optimism about India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, describing New Delhi as “mostly” supportive of Kyiv while acknowledging the complexities tied to Russian energy. His remarks, made in an interview with Fox News on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, came as he sought to strengthen ties with India amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical and technological landscape.
“I think India is mostly with us. We have these questions with energy, but I think President Trump can manage it. With the Europeans, make closer and stronger relations with India,” Zelenskyy said, underscoring the importance of ensuring India does not drift from supporting Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader admitted that energy dependence remains a stumbling block, noting that Indian imports of discounted Russian crude have added complexity to New Delhi’s balancing act. Nevertheless, he remained confident that India could gradually shift its position away from reliance on Moscow. “I think we must do everything not to withdraw Indians and they will eventually change their attitude toward the Russian energy sector,” he added.
Zelenskyy also drew a contrast between India and China’s positions. While Kyiv sees opportunities to build stronger ties with New Delhi, he noted that Beijing remains more difficult to engage due to its long-standing strategic alignment with Moscow. “With China, it’s more difficult because, for now, it’s not in their interest to stop supporting Russia,” he said.
The Ukrainian president used the interview to highlight his appreciation for the United States’ support. He praised US President Donald Trump for what he described as a clear commitment to backing Ukraine until the conflict is resolved. “He showed that he wants to support Ukraine till the very end. So now we understand that we’re ready to end this war as quickly as possible. He wants that, I want that, and our people want that, but he understands that Putin doesn’t want,” Zelenskyy said.
“What surprised me, in a very positive way, is the clear message from Trump and America that they will stand with us until the war is over,” he added, pointing to a crucial lifeline of Western support.
Zelenskyy also took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative of the conflict. “Putin knows he is not winning but still says to everyone that he is winning,” he said, portraying Moscow’s messaging as detached from battlefield realities.
Beyond bilateral relations, the Ukrainian leader used his address at the UNGA to issue a stark warning about the future of warfare. He cautioned that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the proliferation of cheap drones are reshaping modern battlefields at an alarming pace.
“We need global rules now for how AI can be used in weapons, and this is just as urgent as preventing the spread of real weapons. We need to restore international cooperation, real working cooperation for peace and for security,” he said.
Reflecting on the transformation of warfare, Zelenskyy highlighted how relatively inexpensive drones are capable of creating “dead zones” stretching for dozens of kilometres. “Ten years ago, war looked different, and no one imagined that cheap drones could create dead zones, areas stretching for dozens of kilometres where nothing moves, no vehicles, no life,” he observed.
He warned that such technology is no longer the preserve of powerful militaries and could be replicated with minimal resources, posing a global threat. Ukraine itself has relied heavily on drones in its resistance to Russia’s invasion, while Moscow has increasingly deployed drone warfare both inside Ukraine and in attacks across Europe.
“Who will be the force to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead?” Zelenskyy asked, pointing to the catastrophic risks if weaponisation of new technologies continues unchecked.
Describing the current environment as “the most destructive arms race in human history,” Zelenskyy urged the global community to develop credible rules and guarantees to prevent further destabilisation. “A few years from now might already be too late,” he warned, drawing parallels between nuclear proliferation in the 20th century and the current challenge posed by AI.
His address broadened into a wider critique of international institutions, which he said had failed to respond adequately to multiple crises beyond Ukraine, including conflicts in Syria, Gaza, and Sudan. According to Zelenskyy, the inability of global mechanisms to act swiftly has compounded instability and eroded trust in multilateral structures.
By combining praise for allies, cautious outreach to India, and warnings about new forms of warfare, Zelenskyy sought to rally both political and technological attention to Ukraine’s cause. His dual messages — one of partnership and one of caution — reflect a strategy to secure immediate support for Ukraine’s survival while pressing for global action to address the dangers of AI-driven militarisation.
