US President Joe Biden on Tuesday accused Russia of being “solely responsible” for the invasion of Ukraine and argued that no country can be safe if “Ukraine is allowed to be divided.”
“Russia believes that the world will grow tired and allow Ukraine to be treated cruelly without consequences. But I ask you this: if we give up the fundamental principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any Member State have confidence in what is protected? If we allow Ukraine to be divided, will any country be safe?” Biden asked in his address to the UN General Assembly.
The US leader criticized Russia’s “raw aggression” and called on world leaders to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty to “deter other possible aggressors tomorrow.”
But references to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine took up just a few minutes of Biden’s half-hour speech, in which he favorably covered a wide range of topics related to the climate, digital and social challenges facing the world.
The climate crisis is “an existential threat (…) to all humanity,” Biden warned, referring to the heat waves, fires, floods and droughts that have hit several parts of the world in recent months.
Biden also pledged to work with other countries, even rivals, to ensure that artificial intelligence is a tool in the service of humanity and not a risk to humanity.
The North American President said that all these challenges constitute a global problem that must be addressed through common projects
“Our future is tied to your future,” Biden defended, looking at the senior officials present at the UN General Assembly and calling for greater cooperation among member states, even with those who are rivals.
Turning to China, Biden said the United States is committed to ensuring that competition does not become a conflict.
“As far as China is concerned, let me be clear. We will do everything we can to ensure that competition does not degenerate into conflict,” the North American leader pledged, highlighting the joint efforts of the US and China on climate.
Biden also said his administration remains committed to nuclear weapons control, criticizing Russia and Iran for not respecting international agreements in this area.
Biden acknowledged that joint efforts in various areas have been insufficient to resolve various conflicts in different parts of the planet.
That is why the President of the United States has asked the United Nations Security Council to authorize the sending of an international force to Haiti to help security forces fight the gangs that threaten the country’s political stability.
“The people of Haiti cannot wait much longer,” assured Biden, who said he had asked the World Bank for more money to help developing countries, especially in Africa.
Biden admitted that much of this aid will require reformed organizations with more effective interventions, in a multilateral world in the 21st century.
For example, the North American leader acknowledged the need to begin “serious consultations” to expand the United Nations Security Council, which consists of only fifteen members, of which only five (including the US) have veto power.
“We need more voices and more perspectives at the negotiating table,” Biden said, calling on the UN to keep fighting to ensure peace and alleviate human suffering.
The US President also pledged to continue the fight against corruption and the defense of democracy, which he acknowledged is under threat in several parts of the world, and announced that his government is working with the G7 to mobilize approximately 600 billion to raise euros for various development projects aimed at the most vulnerable population in the world.
Source: DN
