In view of increasing war fatigue, US President Joe Biden has called on the international community to help Ukraine protect itself in its defensive fight against Russia. “The world must confront naked aggression today to deter other potential aggressors tomorrow,” Biden said at the start of the general debate at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Biden invoked the solidarity of the 193 UN member states: “If we allow Ukraine to be dismembered, is the independence of any nation safe? The answer is no.” At the same time, Biden warned: “Russia believes that the world is getting tired and allowing it to treat Ukraine brutally without consequences.” If fundamental international principles were abandoned “to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that it is protected?”
The US President did not mention concerns about a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Beijing considers the democratic island to be part of its territory. However, Biden emphasized again that the United States is not seeking conflict with China.
Zelensky: Abduction of children is genocide
In the general debate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj accused Russia of threatening many other states with its aggression. Moscow is not only attacking Ukraine militarily, but is also using instruments other than weapons – “and these things are used not only against our country, but also against yours,” said Zelenskyj, addressing the UN member states.
“Russia uses food prices as a weapon,” he specified. “The impacts extend from the Atlantic coast of Africa to Southeast Asia.” Moscow also uses energy as a weapon to weaken governments in other countries.
Zelensky also accused Russia of genocide for abducting Ukrainian children. “These children are being taught to hate Ukraine in Russia and all ties with their families are being broken,” he said. “This is clearly a genocide.”
The Ukrainian president personally took part in the general debate in New York for the first time since the start of the Russian war of aggression against his country in February 2022. Last year he addressed the United Nations via video address. He had recently taken part in several summits – G7, NATO, EU. His trip to the world’s largest diplomatic meeting in New York is seen as a great opportunity for the Ukrainian to convince skeptical countries of his course.
However, many states, especially in Latin America, Africa and Asia, would like greater attention to be paid to their problems and to the main issue actually targeted by the United Nations: new cooperation on an equal footing between industrialized and developing countries.
Lula calls for peace
Many of the leaders of the so-called Global South want peace in Ukraine. This can be seen prominently in the mediation attempts of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who gave his speech to the General Assembly before Biden. His remarks were primarily about the effects of climate change.
But he also insisted on peace talks for Ukraine. “We do not underestimate the difficulties in achieving peace. But no solution will be lasting unless it is based on dialogue,” he said. Lula recently said in an interview that the war in Ukraine was tiring humanity.
UN chief Guterres: The world is falling apart
At the opening of the general debate, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned of a division of the world. There are deep divides between the largest economic and military powers, between East and West and between rich states and developing countries.
“Our world is unraveling. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are increasing. And we seem unable to come together to respond.” What is needed is a “global compromise” to reform international institutions. “It’s about reform or break.”
uh/gri (dpa, afp)
Source: DW
