Zelenskyy calls Putin 'Patient Zero' of war, urges tougher Russia sanctions at UNGA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russian President Vladimir Putin "Patient Zero" of war and urged stronger international sanctions against Russia at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Zelenskyy proposed sanctions modeled on the US Russia sanctions act, which allows tariffs up to 100% on countries importing Russian oil and gas, arguing Russia's revenues "must remain a target." His speech followed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks offering peace talks but no pause in fighting. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Lavrov behind closed doors, reporting both sides expressed interest in a limited ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure attacks, though Rubio acknowledged such a deal would be difficult to achieve.