TLDR: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a stark warning at the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2025, declaring that the world is entering an AI-driven arms race, which he termed ‘the most destructive in human history.’ He called for immediate international regulation of AI in weaponry, emphasizing the rapid proliferation of autonomous drones and the critical need for global rules to prevent catastrophic conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2025, issuing a grave warning about the escalating threat of an AI-driven arms race. He characterized this emerging competition as ‘the most destructive arms race in human history,’ underscoring a pivotal moment for global security and technological governance.
In his impassioned speech, President Zelenskyy painted a grim picture of future warfare, stating, ‘drones are fighting drones, attacking critical infrastructure and targeting people all by themselves, fully autonomous and no human involved.’ He stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that it is ‘only a matter of time, not much’ until such scenarios become commonplace, and warned that ‘a few years from now might already be too late’ for effective regulation.
Zelenskyy’s call for immediate international rules governing AI in weaponry echoed the historical efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation, highlighting the parallel urgency required to manage this new technological frontier. He emphasized that the world needs ‘global rules now for how AI can be used in weapons,’ asserting that this is ‘just as urgent as preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.’
The Ukrainian leader connected this global threat directly to the ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that ‘Russia drones are already flying across Europe and Russian operations are already spreading across countries.’ He cited a recent incident where ’19 simple Russian drones violated Polish airspace, and only four were shut down,’ illustrating the immediate and tangible dangers. Zelenskyy argued that ‘stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the force to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead,’ urging decisive global action.
Criticizing the perceived inaction of international institutions, Zelenskyy questioned what people living through war could expect from the UN, suggesting that for decades, there have been ‘just statements and statements.’ He offered Ukraine’s battle-tested modern defense systems to strengthen international security, announcing a decision to ‘open up arms exports’ and grow defense production with partners, stating, ‘we are ready to make our modern weapons become your modern security, your modern weapon.’
In response to Zelenskyy’s address, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reportedly dismissed the comments, asserting that Russia is not a ‘paper tiger’ but a ‘real bear’ and plans to continue its ground assault. The broader geopolitical context also includes the European Union considering imposing tariffs on two of its own members, Hungary and Slovakia, to cut off Russian oil flows. The speech also followed a meeting between President Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump, where Trump reportedly expressed support for Ukraine.
Also Read:
- Global Regulators Intensify Scrutiny on AI, Ushering in an Era of Accountability
- World Economic Forum Warns: Unsecured AI Agents Unleash Sophisticated Cyberthreats on Businesses
Zelenskyy’s warning serves as a critical inflection point, demanding a global reckoning with the profound implications of AI in warfare and the urgent need for a coordinated international response to prevent an unprecedented catastrophe.
