There was an immediate uprising against Putin's announcement. Protestors took to the streets of Moscow and flocked to the airports to get out after discovering 300,000 more Russians were to be conscripted to Putin's war.

All as President Putin made his most terrifying threat to date.

"Russia will use all the instruments at its disposal to counter a threat against its territorial integrity. This is not a bluff," he said. 

In the ominous address, Putin was almost spitting his words, promising Russia would use everything it has to take over Ukraine, including its nuclear weapons, weapons with the power to cause destruction as great as that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

"Those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them," said Putin. 

It's no coincidence that his sinister warning came mere hours before the American President stood at the world's podium of diplomacy, the UN General Assembly.

"This war is about extinguishing Ukraine's right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and [Ukrainians'] right to exist as a people," Biden said. "Wherever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold."

Ukraine's President couldn't make it in person, with special dispensation given for a video address.

"Ukraine wants peace, Europe wants peace, the world wants peace, and we have seen who is the only one who wants war," Zelenskyy said.

Following Biden into the UN as always a military aide carrying "the briefcase" - the US nuclear codes, a reminder nuclear war takes just a few digits.

"The United States is ready to pursue critical arms control measures. A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought." Biden said. 

Putin's motives are now naked for all to see and condemn, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

"This whole false narrative around liberating Ukraine. You don't attack and you don't threaten the use of nuclear weapons over a country you claim to be liberating. It's an absolute falsehood."

Ardern warned the world should not disregard Putin's threats as we have done before.

"We stand against all nuclear weapons, we want the world rid of them."

Ukraine's the most unsafe of all, fighting the war it never asked for.

"A crime has been committed against Ukraine, and we demand just punishment," said Zelenskyy. 

Hours after his American presidential ally, Zelenskyy implored the paralysed United Nations to act.

"The crime was committed against the lives of our people, against the dignity of our women and men, against the values that make you and me a community of the UN," said Zelenskyy.

After chance encounters with Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Ardern got a formal meeting, so secretive journalists couldn't report it was happening until it was already over.

"As I was sitting next to the Prime Minister yesterday…I wondered what was going through his mind because while I was thinking about domestic issues, he was thinking about warfare," said Ardern.

It's a war New Zealand has sent support for and Ardern said Ukraine's gratitude is genuine and they haven't asked for more.

"Here we are possibly as far away from this conflict as you can be and we're doing our bit and I think that's become very symbolic for Ukraine, it demonstrates it's not just about Europe, it's about everyone," said Ardern.

After the meeting, Ardern went to listen to the President. The atmosphere in the UN Grand Hall was tense as the leaders intently listened to Zelenskyy's words.

Ardern was one of the few world leaders on the floor. She watched attentively, documented it, and then rose for a standing ovation rarely seen at the General Assembly.

Ardern then bumped into Zelenskyy's wife Olena on the way out. She later said the address was powerful.