US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to combat Russian aggression at the UN General Assembly and encouraged leaders to support Ukraine as the war enters its second autumn.
Zelensky deemed Russia a persistent aggressor during the annual gathering of world leaders, referring to Moscow’s military involvement in Moldova, Georgia, and Syria, its increased authority over Belarus, and its threats against the Baltic states.
On Russia’s Weaponisation of Nuclear Energy
Zelensky claimed that Moscow has weaponised oil and gas to undermine the leaders of other nations, adding that Moscow is now weaponising nuclear energy.
He said, “Look what Russia did to our Zaporizhzhia power plant — shelled it, occupied it, and now blackmails others with radiation leaks,” while acknowledging that the global security architecture offers no reaction or defence against such threats.
The Ukrainian president noted that Russia was the “keeper” of nuclear weapons. “History shows that it was Russia who deserved nuclear disarmament. Terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons,” Zelensky argued. He then addressed Moscow’s weaponisation of food, stressing that ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov had been closed since the war.
Zelensky further declared that Kyiv has evidence that hundreds of thousands of children were kidnapped from Moscow-controlled regions in Ukraine and then deported to the Russian Federation. “We are trying to get the children back home, but time goes by. What will happen to them?” He stressed that those children are taught to hate Ukraine while ties with their families are broken, adding: “This is clearly genocide.”
Furthermore, Zelensky emphasised that when hatred is used as a weapon against one nation, it never stops there, pointing out that the Russian Federation starts a new conflict each decade. He added that Moscow “has almost swallowed Belarus” and is threatening Kazakhstan and the Baltic states, pointing out that sections of Georgia and the Republic of Moldova are still occupied.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine is doing everything it can to ensure that no one in the world would dare to attack any nation after Russian aggression. “Weaponization must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home and the occupier must return to their own land,” he added.
Biden Urges World Leaders to Support Ukraine’s War Efforts
President Biden stated that the US strongly supports Ukraine’s efforts to negotiate a diplomatic resolution to a just and lasting peace, emphasising that “Russia alone bears responsibility for this war; Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately; and Russia alone stands in the way of peace.”
Biden claimed that Moscow hopes the “world will grow weary,” allowing it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I respectfully suggest the answer is no. We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,” he asserted.
Consequently, Biden stated, “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.”
In his concluding remarks, Biden stated, “we will be judged by [...] all those who inherit the world we create,” emphasising the need to preserve the earth, protect human dignity, and provide opportunities for people everywhere.
Biden, Zelensky Vow to Combat Russian Aggression at UN General Assembly Meeting
The Ukrainian president called Russia a persistent aggressor, referring to Moscow’s military involvement in Moldova, Georgia, and Syria, and its increased authority over Belarus.
September 20, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE: New York Times.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly meeting.