U.S. President Joe Biden declared on Tuesday at the UN forum that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has failed. He urged the international community to continue supporting Kyiv until Ukraine wins the war.
“The good news is that Putin’s war has failed. He aimed to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free. He sought to weaken NATO, but the alliance is bigger, stronger, and more united than ever,” Biden said during his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
The U.S. president highlighted that NATO now has two new members — Sweden and Finland — marking yet another defeat for Putin.
“We cannot turn away”
Biden emphasized that when Russia began its invasion, the U.S. could have remained on the sidelines. Instead, they chose to decisively support Ukraine. “We cannot turn a blind eye, and we cannot weaken our support for Ukraine until it reaches a just and lasting peace,” Biden stressed.
Among those present in the assembly was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is set to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
Warning on Lebanon and a call for a ceasefire in Gaza
Biden also warned against the threat of “all-out war” in Lebanon and underscored that now is the time to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. “All-out war benefits no one. Even in times of escalation, diplomatic solutions are always possible,” he said.
The U.S. president explained that the U.S., together with Qatar and Egypt, has proposed a ceasefire agreement and hostage release plan, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council. “Now is the time for the parties to finalize the terms, release the hostages, and ensure the safety of both Israel and Gaza,” Biden added.
He also expressed his support for the families of Israeli hostages and the innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, describing the situation they face as “hellish.”
Personal touch and a call for UN reform
Concluding his address, Biden reflected on his five decades of public service, beginning with his election as a senator in 1972. He urged fellow world leaders to always remember that politicians exist to serve their citizens, not to cling to power.
“After 50 years in public service, I’ve decided it’s time for a new generation of leaders to take my country forward. Let us never forget that some things are more important than staying in power. It’s about serving your citizens. Let’s never forget, we are here to serve people, not the other way around,” Biden called, prompting applause from the General Assembly.
The U.S. president also advocated for reforming the UN Security Council, which is one of the key topics under discussion this year. “The UN must adapt and bring in new voices, which is why we support reforming the Security Council. It must return to its core mission of ensuring peace,” Biden concluded.
