Iran and North Korea 'accomplices' in Ukraine conflict, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President accuses Tehran and Pyongyang of supplying weapons to Russia, with Iran said to have sent short-range missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN Security Council meeting in New York on Tuesday. AP

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday described Iran and North Korea as “accomplices” in Russia's war against Kyiv and said Moscow can only be forced into negotiating for peace.

Speaking at a UN Security Council session, Mr Zelenskyy was backed in his condemnation by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called for UN action against Moscow and Pyongyang.

Western nations have repeatedly accused Iran and North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia, and this month said Tehran was shipping ballistic missiles to the Russian military.

“Russia has no legitimate reason, none at all, for making Iran and North Korea de facto accomplices in its criminal war in Europe, with their weapons killing us, killing Ukrainians,” Mr Zelenskyy said, adding that Russia must be forced into making peace.

“Russia can only be forced into peace and that is exactly what's needed, forcing Russia into peace, as the sole aggressor in this war, the sole violator of the UN Charter.”

Mr Blinken said support from Tehran and Pyongyang is helping Russian President Vladimir Putin to inflict “carnage, suffering and ruin on innocent Ukrainian men, women, children".

“The more Russia relies on their support, the more Iran and North Korea extract in return, and the more Putin gives to Pyongyang and Tehran, the more he exacerbates threats to peace and security, not just in Europe, but in the Indo-Pacific, in the Middle East, all around the globe,” he said.

Mr Blinken also accused China, a fellow permanent member of the Security Council, of providing “machine tools, microelectronics and other items that Russia is using to rebuild, to restock, to ramp up its war machine and sustain its brutal aggression”.

China dismissed US accusations of siding in the Ukraine conflict, repeating its stance that diplomatic efforts are the sole solution to the crisis.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, called for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine through dialogue.

"We seek lasting peace and security for the people of Ukraine and Russia," Mr Pezeshkian said. "The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes war and emphasises the urgent need to end military hostilities in Ukraine. We support all peaceful solutions and believe that dialogue is the only way to resolve this crisis."

Washington is expected this week to announce a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes an unspecified number of medium-range cluster bombs, as well as rockets, artillery and armoured vehicles, the Associated Press reported.

Weapons wanted by Ukraine - in pictures

Air defence: Ukraine’s air defence largely depends on the Patriot system. AFP

Air: Stinger short-range surface-to-air missile. Reuters

Air: Aim-120 air-to-air missiles. More than 14,000 of the missiles, that have a range exceeding 120km, have been produced with their accuracy so good that they have been nicknamed “Slammer”. Getty Images

Air: F-16s will provide greater surveillance and the ability to attack high-value targets behind Russian lines in occupied Ukraine. EPA

Armour: Bradley IFV. The Ukrainians have found the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, with its 25mm cannon, very useful in protecting troops and providing decent firepower. Bloomberg

Armour: M113. The 1960s-designed versatile M113 armoured personnel carrier has proven effective in protecting troops against minefields. Getty Images

Artillery: 155mm artillery rounds. A massive delivery of 155mm rounds could prove crucial in preventing further Russian advances, particularly in its expected summer offensive. AFP

Artillery: ATACMs long-range precision missiles. The ATACMS have a range of 300km with the ability to land within a few metres of a target. Getty Images

Artillery: Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). It can be fired from the HIMARS system. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Artillery: M777 guns and replacement barrels. The Ukrainians need many M777 howitzer barrels to replace those worn down by extensive use. Getty Images