US President Joe Biden appealed to world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to stand with Ukraine against Russian invaders while touting the administration's "tireless" efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.
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"Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence," Biden said in his speech at the UN's General Debate, the annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly. "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?"
Biden's address at the annual gathering was the centerpiece event of his three-day visit to New York, which will include meetings with the heads of five Central Asian nations and the leaders of Israel and Brazil.
Biden, a Democrat, has made rallying US allies to support Ukraine a leading component of US foreign policy, arguing the world must send a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will not be able to outlast the West.
Video: At UN General Assembly, Biden to ask world to stand by Ukraine / Credit: Reuters
Biden has faced criticism from some Republicans who want the United States to spend less money on the war effort. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has vowed to seek a quick end to the war if returned to power.
Trump has voiced skepticism about Washington's engagement with traditional allies, including NATO, and has been complimentary of Putin.
In his speech, Biden argued that Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and occupation of territory violated the founding UN Charter, a main principle of which is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Biden also expressed an optimistic tone on the Middle East, celebrating the recently announced trade corridor linking India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.
He said that this "groundbreaking effort," which was announced in the recent G-20 meeting in New Delhi, "will spur investment and opportunities across two continents" and was part of the "efforts to achieve a sustainable integrated Middle East." He noted that this "demonstrates how Israel's greater normalization and economic connections with its neighbors are delivering a positive impact even as we work tirelessly to support a just and lasting peace, with two states for two people." He also warned that the US would work to ensure that "Iran never acquires nuclear weapons."
On Wednesday, Biden will have his first face-to-face meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Netanyahu regained power last December.
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