NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden is ready to make a case to world leaders United Nations General Assembly That Russia’s “bare aggression” in Ukraine is an affront to the heart of what the international community stands for as it seeks to rally allies to support the Ukrainian resistance.
Biden, during his time at the UN General Assembly, planned to meet with the new British on Wednesday Prime Minister Liz Truss, Announce a global food security initiative and push allies to meet the $18 billion goal to replenish global funding to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
But White House officials say the main reason for the president’s trip to the United Nations this year will be to loudly condemn Russia for its atrocities. The war is nearing the seven-month mark.
“He will strongly condemn Russia’s unjust war in Ukraine and call on the world to stand up against the blatant aggression we’ve seen over the past few months,” White House national security adviser Jack Sullivan said in a preview. President’s speech “He will emphasize the importance of strengthening the United Nations and reaffirm the core principles of its Charter at a time when a permanent member of the Security Council has struck at the very heart of the Charter by challenging the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
The address comes as Russian-controlled areas of eastern and southern Ukraine announce plans To hold a Kremlin-backed referendum In the coming days Russia is losing ground to be part of and attack Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday A partial solidarity declaration calling for 300,000 reserves and accusing the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail”.
Biden faces no shortage of tough issues as leaders gather this year.
MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images
In addition to the Russian war in Ukraine, European Fear that is a recession Just around the corner may be higher. The administration’s concern grows day by day that time to revive is running short Iran nuclear deal And on China’s saber-rattling over Taiwan.
When he addressed last year’s General Assembly, Biden focused on broad themes of global partnerships, urging world leaders to take swift action against the coronavirus, climate change and human rights abuses. And he assured that his presidency marked a return to American leadership in international institutions following Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
But a year later, the global dynamic has changed dramatically.
Stuart Patrick, senior fellow and director of the Global Order and Institutions Program at the Washington think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote a Analysis Biden’s performance this year was “extraordinary” compared to his first speech at the United Nations as president.
“Last year, the US leader won easy praise as the ‘anti-Trump,’ promising that ‘America is back,'” Patrick said. “More demand this year. The liberal, rules-based international system has been challenged by Russian aggression, Chinese ambitions, authoritarian attacks, stalled pandemic recovery, accelerating climate change, doubts about the relevance of the United Nations, and doubts about America’s ability to survive.
Outside of diplomacy, the president is also doing some politics. This year’s rally comes less than seven weeks ago Important mid-term elections In the United States. Shortly after arriving in Manhattan on Tuesday night, Biden spoke to about 100 attendees at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser that raised nearly $2 million, and he is set to hold another fundraiser Thursday before returning to Washington.
His Wednesday speech brought up Ukraine’s forces Regaining control of large swaths of territory Near Kharkiv. But even as Ukrainian forces win on the battlefield, much of Europe is feeling the sting of economic sanctions against Russia. A sharp decline in Russian oil and gas has led to sharp jumps in energy prices, skyrocketing inflation and a growing risk of Europe falling into recession.
Biden’s visit to the United Nations also comes as his administration’s efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appear stalled.
The deal brokered by the Obama administration — and scrapped by Trump in 2018 — provided billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for an agreement to dismantle most of Iran’s nuclear program and open its facilities to widespread international inspection.
Sullivan said no progress with Iran was expected during the General Assembly, but Biden would make clear in his speech that a deal could still be made “if Iran is prepared to be serious about its obligations.” He added that administration officials would consult with the co-signatories of the 2015 agreement on the sidelines of this week’s meetings.
MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images
This year’s UN assembly returns to a full-scale, in-person event after two years of reduced activity due to the pandemic. In 2020, in-person gatherings were canceled and leaders gave pre-recorded speeches instead; Last year was a mix of personal and pre-recorded speeches. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were on hand to welcome the leaders Wednesday evening.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has decided not to attend this year’s UN gathering, but his country’s behavior and intentions will loom large during the leaders’ talks.
Last month the UN Human Rights Office raised concerns about the potential “Crimes Against Humanity” Against the Uyghurs and other largely Muslim ethnic groups in western China. Beijing has vowed to suspend cooperation with the office, describing it as a Western ploy to undermine China’s rise.
Meanwhile, China’s government said Biden’s statement in a CBS “60 Minutes” interview Monday that American forces Will protect Taiwan If Beijing tried to invade the self-ruled island, it would be a violation of US commitments on the matter, but it gave no indication of possible retaliation.
The White House said after the interview that there had been no change in US policy on Taiwan, which China claims as its own. The policy says Washington wants to see a peaceful resolution of the situation in Taiwan but does not say whether US forces might be sent in response to a Chinese attack.
Follow AP coverage of the UN General Assembly https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly
