Biden warns the UN against allowing Russia to ‘brutalise’ Ukraine without consequence
A blunt warning has been given to the United Nations about the consequences if Russia is allowed to “carve up” Ukraine.
An ominous warning has been given to countries worldwide that Russia needs to be stopped from pushing the world to the “final war”.
Both the Ukrainian and US presidents were speaking on the first day of the United Nations General Assembly which continues for the next fortnight in New York City.
But Russia’s Vladimir Putin is not in the US. He would be arrested if he set foot in the country as there is an international arrest warrant out against him.
In a darkly witty rebuke to Moscow, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the late Wagner mercenary group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin who died after his private jet mysteriously crashed.
“Evil cannot be trusted,” said Mr Zelensky. “Just ask Prigozhin”.
US President Joe Biden told delegates from countries across the world that the globe was “darkened by the shadow of war”, which he described as an “illegal war of conquest without provocation by Russia” against Ukraine.
“We strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about diplomatic resolution that delivers just and lasting peace. Russia alone, Russia alone, bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately,” Mr Biden said.
“And it’s Russia alone that stands in the way of the peace. Because Russia’s price for peace is Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.”
The US leader said Moscow “believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence”.
No one will be secure
Mr Biden suggested that no member states of the United Nations would feel secure if Ukraine is allowed “to be carved up”.
“We have to stand up to this naked aggression today, and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,” he continued.
“That’s why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom.”
During his highly anticipated address, Mr Biden also condemned Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the nuclear arms reduction treaty between the two countries, known as New START, which was the last remaining pact that regulates the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals.
He said co-operation and partnership are they keys to global challenges and the baseline for leadership on these issues.
“After more than 50 years of progress under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Russia is shredding the longstanding arms control agreements, including announcing the suspension of New START,” he said.
“I view it as irresponsible, and it makes the entire world less safe.”
He noted the US has destroyed its last remaining chemical munitions in its stockpile this year in its efforts to lead in keeping the world free of chemical weapons.
Zelensky’s warning; ‘Final war’
Ukraine’s President Zelensky told the UN that Russia was a threat to the world due to its nuclear arsenal.
“While Russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after the Russian aggression no-one in the world will dare to attack any nation”.
He rejected “shady deals” to end the conflict as said Moscow wanted to turn Ukraine into a “a weapon against you, against the rules based international order”.
– With AFP
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