Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday dismissed the initiatives put forth by China and Brazil aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, questioning their motives for proposing alternatives to his established peace plan. He cautioned, “You will not enhance your influence at the expense of Ukraine.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Nine months later, Zelenskiy introduced a 10-point peace initiative designed to achieve a fair resolution to the conflict, grounded in the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law. This proposal was rejected by Moscow.

“The peace formula has been in place for two years, and perhaps some are seeking a Nobel Prize for their political legacy through a mere frozen truce rather than genuine peace. However, the only rewards Putin will offer in return are increased suffering and calamities,” Zelenskiy stated during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, alluding to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskiy emphasized that presenting “alternatives, half-hearted settlement proposals, or so-called sets of principles” would merely provide Putin with the political leeway to prolong the conflict.

China has been actively seeking the support of developing countries to adopt the six-point peace initiative it proposed in collaboration with Brazil in May. This initiative suggests convening an international peace conference “at a mutually agreed time recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, ensuring equal participation from all parties and a fair examination of all peace proposals.”

During his address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his support for this plan.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy responded to this initiative at the 193-member assembly, stating, “Any parallel or alternative efforts to pursue peace are essentially attempts to create a temporary pause rather than a resolution to the conflict.” He further remarked, “When the Chinese-Brazilian partnership seeks to amplify its message alongside voices from Europe or Africa, promoting an alternative to a comprehensive and just peace, it raises questions about their true intentions. It is crucial for everyone to recognize that no one should seek to enhance their influence at the expense of Ukraine.”