UNITED NATIONS — U.S. President Joe Biden told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, warning that no nation can be safe if “we have one Allow Ukraine to split.”
Biden sought support for Kiev’s efforts to repel the nearly 19-month-old Russian invasion and called on world leaders not to let support for Ukraine wane without consequences.
“I ask you: If we abandon America’s founding principles to appease an aggressor, can any member state of this body be assured that it will be protected?” Biden said in his speech. “If we allow Ukraine to be divided, is the independence of a nation safe? “I would respectfully suggest that the answer is no,” he added.
The president’s forceful rhetoric on Ukraine appeared to be aimed not only at a global audience but also at Washington, where a growing isolationist trend in the Republican Party threatens the United States’ prospects of successfully replenishing the steady flow of aid that has arrived in Kiev since the war started in February 2022.
The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in humanitarian and security assistance for Ukraine, but Republicans – who control the House of Representatives – have virtually ignored that request.
“We must confront this open aggression today and deter other potential aggressors tomorrow,” Biden said in his speech to the United Nations. “That is why the United States – along with our allies and partners around the world – will continue to support the courageous people of Ukraine in defending their sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom.”
During his speech, Biden also outlined the partnerships the U.S. government has around the world, from Africa to the Indo-Pacific, which he said are leading to economic, security and other progress, even as he emphasized that these relationships do not are intended to “include every country”, a clear reference to Beijing.
“When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent,” Biden said. “We want to manage competition between our countries responsibly so that it does not lead to conflicts. “I said that we are for risk reduction, not for decoupling from China.”
Biden stressed that Beijing and Washington must work together on climate, pointing to recent natural disasters – devastating heat waves, droughts and floods around the world – as part of a “snapshot” that tells the “urgent story of what awaits us when.” We fail.” to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and start protecting the global climate.”
