Ukrainian troops are trying to push Russia out of occupied areas at the start of the war and are resisting fierce attacks by Russian forces in the east of the country, especially near the city of Severodonetsk. Zelenskyy praised the aid of the West and its Asian allies so far and said it was vital for partner countries not to give up on providing aid to belligerent Ukraine.

“I thank you for your support, but this support is intended not only for Ukraine, but also for you,” the Ukrainian president said, according to Reuters. “The future rules of this world, along with the limits of the possibilities, are being decided on the Ukrainian battlefield,” he added.

He pointed out that Russia, by blocking ports on the Black and Azov Seas, prevents the export of Ukrainian food to world markets, which is damaging not only Ukraine, but the whole world.

“If we are unable to export our food as a result of the Russian blockade, the world will face an acute and serious food crisis and hunger in many Asian and African countries,” he warned.

Zelenskyy directly linked Russia’s actions to rising commodity prices, saying that Russia first blocked energy from raising their prices, and now they are doing the same with food.

Russia has called its war against Ukraine, now in its 108th day, a “special operation” and says its aim is not to occupy the territory but to “demilitarize” and “denazify” neighboring countries.

Zelenskyy told 575 delegates from four dozen countries that the Ukrainian army had no intention of penetrating Russia. “Please remember that a war is going on on our land. Ukraine is dying. We don’t want Russian land,” he said.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Singapore Kateryna Zelenková stressed the importance of further international assistance. “We understand it will take time, but time is what we don’t have,” he said, according to Reuters.