English Section

Biden asks world to stand with Ukraine in UN speech

19.09.2023 22:30
US President Joe Biden appealed to world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday to stand with Ukraine against invading Russian forces, declaring that Washington strongly supports Kyiv's fight for freedom and efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace.
US President Joe Biden addresses the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
US President Joe Biden addresses the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.Photo: EPA/MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ

"Like every nation in the world, the United States wants this war to end," Biden said in his speech to the UN General Assembly.

"And we strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that delivers just and lasting peace," he added.

He told the annual gathering that "Russia alone bears responsibility for this war" and that "Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately."

"And it is Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because ... Russia’s price for peace is Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory, and Ukraine’s children," Biden said.

He cautioned: "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?"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applauded Biden's remarks ahead of his own speech at the UN later in the day, the Reuters news agency reported.

Zelensky is expected to visit Biden at the White House later this week. He also plans to meet with members of Congress and military leaders, according to reports.

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters on Monday that Biden was "looking forward to hearing from President Zelensky about their counteroffensive and about the progress they’re making, sort of his assessment of what the battlefield looks like," according to a report by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.

The US administration is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine to coincide with Zelensky's visit, according to Reuters.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda told the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday that Russian aggression in Ukraine "must end, and not be converted into a frozen war."

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

(gs)

Source: PAP, Reuters