U.S. President Joe Biden has warned world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly that allowing Ukraine “to be carved up” will mean no nation is secure.
“Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence,” Biden said in his speech to UNGA. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?”
Biden said the United States and its allies would stand with Ukraine as it fights for its freedom.
“Russia alone bears responsibility for this war,” Biden said. “Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately.”
Biden’s speech to the annual gathering was billed as the highlight of his three-day visit to New York, which will also include meetings with the leaders of five Central Asian nations.
Biden’s address comes as Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding to Ukraine.
Biden has sought a package of $13.1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine and $8.5 billion for humanitarian support. But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied with Trump are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.
In his speech, Biden said Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and occupation of territory violated the founding UN Charter, a main principle of which is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Earlier in his opening speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Russia’s invasion “has unleashed a nexus of horror.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who attended and applauded Biden’s remarks ahead of his own speech at UNGA later on September 19, was expected to visit Biden at the White House on September 21 and to meet some congressional leaders as well.
In other remarks, Biden said the United States does not seek conflict with China.
“When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent,” Biden said. “We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.”
Biden also emphasized that Washington does not want to separate the U.S. economy from China: “I’ve said we are for de-risking, not de-coupling with China.” (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)