President Biden Urges World Leaders to Support Ukraine Against Russian Invaders at U.N. General Assembly
NEW YORK, Sept 19 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a powerful speech at the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, calling on global leaders to stand in solidarity with Ukraine against Russian invaders. Biden’s appeal comes as he hopes to garner support not only from international allies but also from Republicans in Congress.
In his address to the UNGA, Biden asserted, “Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence. If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?” His words resonated with the audience, earning applause when he pledged that the United States and its allies would stand by Ukraine’s fight for freedom. The president firmly stated, “Russia alone bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately.”
Biden’s speech at the annual gathering served as the centerpiece event of his three-day visit to New York. During this visit, he is also scheduled to hold meetings with the heads of five Central Asian nations, as well as the leaders of Israel and Brazil.
Taking a strong stance against Russian aggression, Biden has made rallying U.S. allies to support Ukraine a central pillar of his foreign policy. The president argues that it is crucial for the world to send a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will not be able to outlast the West. Despite his efforts, Biden has faced criticism from some Republicans who advocate for reduced U.S. spending on the war effort.
Former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has promised to swiftly conclude the war if reelected. Trump has expressed skepticism towards Washington’s engagement with traditional allies, including NATO, and has shown admiration for Putin.
House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the prominent Republican leader, has raised doubts about the continued provision of billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine by the United States.
In his speech, Biden emphasized that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and its subsequent occupation of territory violated the fundamental principles outlined in the U.N. Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. His comments echoed those of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who, in his opening speech to the UNGA, described Russia’s actions as “a nexus of horror.”
Apart from discussing the Ukrainian crisis, Biden and U.S. officials will focus on mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development, as well as combating climate change, during the U.N. meetings.
In a show of solidarity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attended Biden’s speech and applauded his remarks before delivering his own address to the UNGA on Tuesday. Zelenskiy is expected to visit Biden at the White House on Thursday and meet with congressional leaders as well.
In conjunction with Zelenskiy’s visit, the United States is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine. Congress has been requested to approve billions of dollars in additional security assistance for the rest of the year. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed confidence in bipartisan support for this aid, stating that President Zelenskiy shares this confidence.
Following his speech at the UNGA, Biden met with Secretary-General Guterres to discuss ongoing global conflicts. Later, he participated in a summit with the presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This marked the first-ever gathering of Central Asian nations with a U.S. president.
On Wednesday, Biden is scheduled to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and engage in an event with labor leaders from Brazil and the United States. Additionally, he will have his first face-to-face meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Netanyahu regained power last December. Sullivan noted that discussions with Netanyahu would revolve around “a vision for a more stable and prosperous and integrated region, as well as to compare notes on effectively countering and deterring Iran.”
The speech delivered by President Biden at the U.N. General Assembly underscored his commitment to supporting Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its aggressive actions. As the world watches, it remains to be seen whether Biden’s appeal will yield the desired support from international partners and receive the necessary backing from Republicans in Congress.