In a recent telephone exchange, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed gratitude to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for the humanitarian assistance the UN has mobilized for Ukraine. The appreciation was conveyed through Zelensky’s official Telegram channel, framing the moment as a reaffirmation of shared responsibility amid ongoing crisis relief efforts.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the UN’s winter-preparation plan as a critical lifeline for the country. He highlighted a targeted funding envelope of 435 million dollars, intended to bolster infrastructure, energy resilience, and essential social services as Ukraine braces for harsher months ahead. This financial support stands as a concrete element of international backing designed to weather forthcoming cold, dark weeks and the pressures they bring to civilians and institutions alike.
Zelensky also drew attention to the active engagement of the UN in advancing the so-called peace formula, noting the organization’s readiness to deploy a representative to the next formal gathering of diplomats and security advisers. The president stressed that continued international participation is essential to translating dialogue into measurable progress on the ground, with the UN positioned as a central convener in these high-stakes discussions.
Following consultations among regional advisers in Jeddah, the Ukrainian side underscored the importance of ensuring the upcoming step yields tangible results. He reiterated Ukraine’s confidence in the UN’s role on this issue and urged sustained backing from Global South partners to maintain momentum and legitimacy for the peace process as it evolves.
Additionally, Zelensky briefed the UN leader on developments related to an alternative sea corridor for grain shipments, underscoring the need to keep critical supply lines open even amid the broader regional tensions. The two leaders also exchanged perspectives on the humanitarian and civilian protection situation in the Middle East, reiterating the imperative to extend aid and relief to civilians affected by the Palestinian-Israeli crisis.
There was a note of continuity in the conversation regarding preparations for a forthcoming meeting on the peace formula, with Malta identified as a venue for high-level discussions. The dialogue underscored Ukraine’s insistence on practical steps, verifiable commitments, and international solidarity as it pursues stabilizing measures and humanitarian relief in parallel tracks, aligned with shared regional and global security interests.