Stand with Ukraine – Biden’s theme for UN General Assembly Speech
In a historic address to the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Joe Biden will deliver a resounding call to “Stand with Ukraine” against Russian invaders. This impassioned plea is expected to reverberate through the international community as well as across the political aisle in the United States to stand with ukraine.
A stalwart advocate for Ukraine, Biden, a Democrat, has championed rallying U.S. allies to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. He contends that the world must send an unequivocal message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he cannot outlast the Western alliance.
Reflecting on his administration’s actions, Biden remarked that they had rallied the world to stand with Ukraine and united NATO because he was convinced at the beginning that Putin was counting on NATO not being able to stick together which would be enough for victory.
In Washington, House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a prominent Republican figure, has voiced skepticism regarding the stance to stand with ukraine with continued supply of billions in weaponry to Ukraine owing to his arguably weakened position.
During his address, Biden will underscore that Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and its subsequent occupation of Ukrainian territory flagrantly violated the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter. At its core, this international document upholds principles such as the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A senior administration official elucidated, “He will make a robust defense of why supporting Ukraine truly matters, not only for our national security but also for upholding the UN Charter, safeguarding the notions of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and preserving the global order.”
Beyond the Ukraine crisis, the Biden administration’s focus extends to mobilizing resources for infrastructure development, sustainable growth, and combating climate change. The comprehensive approach aims to address multifaceted global challenges.
Public opinion in the United States also underscores the significance of supporting Ukraine. A Reuters/Ipsos June survey revealed that substantial majorities of Americans favor providing weaponry to Ukraine for its defense against Russia. This support is seen as a demonstration of U.S. commitment to protect its interests and allies, while also sending a strong signal to other global actors, including China.
In a significant diplomatic move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit the White House, where he will engage with Biden and meet with congressional leaders. The United States is concurrently preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, aligning with Zelensky’s visit. Congress has been approached for approval of additional security assistance for the remainder of the year.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed confidence in bipartisan support for these initiatives, stating, “We have confidence that there will be bipartisan support for this. I think President Zelensky does as well.”
Following his UN address, President Biden’s agenda includes discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on global hotspots. Furthermore, he will partake in a summit featuring the presidents of five Central Asian nations. These nations include Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Wednesday brings a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with both leaders participating in an event alongside labor leaders from both the countries. On the same day, President Biden will engage in a face-to-face meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the latter’s return to power.
In this meeting, the leaders will explore a shared vision for fostering stability, prosperity, and integration in the region while also addressing the challenge of Iran.
As Biden will address the UN, the world watches closely to see how nations respond to his impassioned call to “Stand with Ukraine”.
