Zelenskyy warns of a 'final war' to come if world leaders don't stop Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a grim view of the future at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday: If Russia's aggression is allowed to spread, it won't stop there.

The chilling remarks by the Ukrainian president were aimed at countries that have been ambivalent about whose side they're on since the conflict began in February 2022 and nations that were with him in the beginning but have pulled back on their support.

Russia's invasion of his country is pushing the world to the "final war," the Ukrainian president told world leaders attending the annual gathering in New York. Zelenskyy argued that nuclear nonproliferation cannot be the only deterrent to the international conflict.

Invoking aggression toward nearby Georgia and Russia's military intervention in Syria, he declared, "When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there."

"Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty – empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy's plea to world leaders came during a two-part visit to the United States that will take him to Washington on Thursday for talks with U.S. lawmakers. They are debating whether to provide Ukraine with another tranche of aid. He will also meet at the White House with President Joe Biden.

On a prior visit to the U.S. last December, the Ukrainian leader was able to rouse Congress into approving a large aid package. Zelenskyy's success this time is not guaranteed with some Republicans in the House of Representatives deeply opposed to tapping taxpayer funds to provide additional military support.

Fearful of a broader weakening of the global coalition supporting Ukraine, Zelenskyy spoke out about Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged crimes against his country. He warned nations that if they abandon his country their borders could be violated next.

Zelenskyy called out neighboring European countries, in particular, for making it harder for Ukraine to export grain.

In remarks that were apparently directed at Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, Zelenskyy accused "some of our friends in Europe" with engaging in "political theater" with grain agreements.

As he delivered the charge, a diplomat from Russia was shown on the United Nations' feed toying with his cellphone.

Hours earlier, Biden pushed the international community to continue supporting Ukraine at the forum. Putin has been charged with crimes by the International Criminal Court and is not attending the General Assembly.

Putin's alleged role in the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia led the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for the Russian leader in March.

"Time goes by. What will happen with them? What will happen with them?" Zelenskyy asked on Tuesday. "Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide."

The Group of 20 nations refused earlier this month to condemn Russia by name for the invasion, in spite of a push from Biden for nations to stand by tough language they approved at a previous summit.

Without providing any details, Zelenskyy hinted at the United Nations at an alleged effort by some individuals to broker a secret peace deal with Putin.

Zelenskky warned anyone who would trust Putin, to recall the fate of Russian mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was assumed dead last month after challenging Putin's leadership.

"I am aware of some attempts to make some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin's promises," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zelenskyy warns about 'final war' with Russia during UN speech