In a joint effort, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are urging world leaders to unite against Russian. Their appeal revolves around the fundamental principle that powerful nations should not be allowed to annex territory from their neighboring states, an initiative aimed at isolating Russia diplomatically on the global stage.
During their addresses at the United Nations, both leaders emphasized the importance of upholding international norms and respecting the sovereignty of nations, regardless of their size or influence. President Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and called on other nations to do the same.
In his third address to the annual gathering of world leaders, President Biden aimed to position the United States as a moral compass for democratic principles worldwide, striving to guide the world toward what he referred to as “the benchmark for responsible global leadership.”
President Zelensky spoke about Ukraine’s struggle and its desire for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. He stressed the need for international solidarity in opposing actions that threaten global stability and security.
In a joint appeal to the international community, President Biden and President Zelensky called on United Nations members to take a firm stance against Russia. They invoked widely shared principles to garner the broadest possible support for Ukraine’s struggle and, by extension, the Western nations’ efforts to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities in its confrontation with Russia, while also seeking to economically isolate Moscow. President Zelensky outlined Kyiv’s principles for resolving the conflict, emphasizing the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty over regions currently under Russian control.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa advocated for concrete measures to enlarge the council, including initiating negotiations on a proposed text for updated regulations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not attend this year’s General Assembly, despite the U.S. hoping they could exert influence over Moscow to facilitate a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Neither Chinese leader Xi Jinping nor China’s foreign minister were in attendance; instead, Beijing sent Vice President Han Zheng.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in his speech that Turkey would intensify its diplomatic efforts to end the conflict while upholding Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity as fundamental principles.
President Erdogan also highlighted that the failure to renew an agreement allowing safe grain exports from Ukraine via the Black Sea has created a new global crisis. Russia declined to renew the pact, citing unmet priorities as the reason for its decision.
