"General Winter" may go over to Ukraine’s side this year – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned Russia that Ukraine will make the winter painful for Russia if it continues to strike Ukraine's energy system.

Source: Zelenskyy's address to the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September

Quote: "Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us, but in response, we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too.

No Russian official ever imagined that Army General Winter, which had fought on Russia's side for centuries, would one day switch sides and support those defending themselves from Russia. We will make that happen this winter if Russia continues to target our energy system and our heating." [The idiom General Winter refers to the severe Russian winter weather that has historically hindered military invasions of Russia – ed.]

Details: The president stressed that this is precisely why steps towards de-escalation are needed before the winter.

Zelenskyy also reminded the assembled world leaders that Ukraine did not choose the war, but is simply choosing not to die and is defending itself.

Background: In the same address, Zelenskyy called Russian leader Vladimir Putin "patient zero" who is spreading the idea of war around the world.

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