NEW YORK (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly, highlighting US efforts to strengthen global health and food security and rallying allies to support Ukraine in its war with Russia.
During a speech on Wednesday, Biden said that Russia violated the United Nations charter with its “cruel, unnecessary war” in Ukraine. He said the war was an affront to the essence of what the international organization stands for as he sought to rally allies to firmly support the Ukrainian resistance.
Strongly condemning Russia’s invasion before an international body, Biden said reports of Russian abuses against civilians in Ukraine “should send chills down your spine.” He also said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s new nuclear threats against Europe showed a “reckless disregard” for his country’s obligations as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
He criticized Russia for holding “sham referendums” this week in territory it forcibly seized from Ukraine.
“A permanent member of the UN Security Council invaded his neighbor, tried to erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia has shamelessly violated the basic principles of the UN Charter,” he told his audience at the UN.
Biden called on all countries, whether democratic or autocratic, to oppose Russia’s invasion and support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself.
“We will stand in solidarity against Russia’s aggression, period,” Biden said.
Biden also highlighted the implications of the invasion for the world’s food supply, pledging $2.9 billion for global food security to address shortages caused by war and the effects of climate change. He praised UN-brokered efforts to create a corridor for maritime exports of Ukrainian grain and called for the agreement to remain in effect despite the ongoing conflict.
But the essence of the president’s visit to the UN this year was his sharp condemnation of Russia as its war approaching the seven-month mark.
Biden’s address on Wednesday came as Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to hold Kremlin-backed referendums in the next few days on whether to become part of Russia, and as Moscow loses ground as a result of the invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced a partial mobilization to call up 300,000 reservists and accused the West of participating in “nuclear blackmail.”
The White House said global food security funding includes $2 billion in direct humanitarian assistance through the United States Agency for International Development. The rest of the money will go to global development projects aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of the global food supply.
“This new $2.9 billion announcement will help save lives through emergency response and invest in medium- and long-term food security assistance to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from an escalating global food security crisis,” the White House said. .
Biden faces no shortage of tough questions as leaders gather this year.
In addition to the Russian war in Ukraine, the European war fears that recession may be promoted just around the corner. The administration’s concern is growing with each passing day that time is running out to revive the Iran nuclear deal and rattle China’s guns on Taiwan.
In addition to diplomacy, the president is also engaged in politics. This year’s gathering comes less than seven weeks before key midterm elections in the United States. Shortly after arriving in Manhattan on Tuesday night, Biden spoke at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser for about 100 attendees that raised nearly $2 million, and he is set to hold another fundraiser on Thursday before heading back to Washington.
His speech on Wednesday came after Ukrainian forces regained control of large swaths of territory near Kharkiv. But even as Ukrainian troops are racking up victories, much of Europe is feeling the sting of economic sanctions imposed on Russia. A significant reduction in Russian oil and gas has led to a sharp jump in energy prices, a rapid rise in inflation and an increase in the risk of Europe falling into recession.
Biden’s visit to the UN also comes as his administration’s efforts to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appear to have stalled.
The deal brokered by the Obama administration — and abrogated by former President Donald Trump in 2018 — called for billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to scale back most of its nuclear program and open its facilities to broad international inspection.
During his time at the UN General Assembly, Biden also planned to meet with new British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Wednesday and press allies to meet the $18 billion goal to replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
This year’s UN assembly returned to a full-scale in-person event after a two-year shutdown due to the pandemic. In 2020, the face-to-face meeting was canceled and leaders gave pre-recorded speeches instead; last year was a mix of in-person and pre-recorded performances. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were scheduled to host a leaders’ reception Wednesday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.