Biden Urges United Nations to Stand Up to Russia’s ‘Naked Aggression’

President Joe Biden delivered a forceful reproach of Russia at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, telling members: "We have to stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

Russia believes the world will "grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence," he said.

But he asked members: "If we abandon the core principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?
 
“I'd respectfully suggest, the answer is no," he said.

Biden is seeking $24 billion from Congress in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. He will meet at the White House on Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Drawing applause from members, Biden said the United States and its allies and partners "will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity – and their freedom."

Biden also admonished Russia for "shredding long-standing arms control agreements," including announcing the suspension of the New START nuclear treaty and withdrawing from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.

"I view it as irresponsible and it makes the entire world less safe," he said. "The United States is going to continue to pursue good faith efforts to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and lead by example, no matter what else is happening in the world."

Biden is the only head of state attending the meeting from the five countries that hold permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council. Leaders from China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom are not attending.

During his 27-minute speech, Biden tackled a range of issues, from protecting Ukraine's sovereignty to fighting climate change and forging partnerships to meet the world's most pressing problems.

Biden opened his speech by stressing to U.N. members, "we know our future is bound to yours, and no nation can meet the challenges of today alone."

The president reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the U.N., but also called for institutional reforms, reiterating his support for increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

"We need to be able to break the gridlock that too often stymies progress and blocks consensus on the council," he said. "We need more voices, more perspectives at the table."

The U.N. must continue to preserve peace, prevent conflict and alleviate human suffering, Biden said, citing the needs of Haiti as it fights against gangs.

He called on the U.N. Security Council to authorize a security support mission, led by Kenya, adding "the people of Haiti cannot wait much longer."

Biden pointed to partnerships that the U.S. has forged and strengthened around the world, but added that none of them are about "containing any country." He said the U.S. will "push back on aggression and intimidation," but also stands ready to work with China on common efforts, such as the accelerating climate crisis.

"When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent: We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict," Biden said.

Biden highlighted record breaking heat waves, wildfires, flooding and drought in countries across the globe. “These snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and begin to climate-proof our world,” he said.

Biden said his administration has treated the climate crisis as an "existential threat," and highlighted the Inflation Reduction Act as "the largest investment ever, anywhere in the world, to combat the climate crisis and help move the global economy toward a clean energy future."

He said he is working with Congress to quadruple financing to help developing countries reach climate goals and adapt to climate impacts.

"We need more investment, from public and private sector alike, especially in places that have contributed so little of global emissions and face some of the worst effects of climate change, like the Pacific islands," Biden said. He added that the U.S. is working with the Pacific Island Forum to help the nations adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Biden called for working together to meet sustainable development goals of 2030, which he said were adopted at the U.N. in 2015 as "a roadmap for improving lives around the world."

He said the world has "lost ground" in recent years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts and other crisis, but the U.S. is committed to getting back on track.

During the first two years of his administration, Biden said, the U.S. invested more than $100 billion to drive development progress in bolstering food security, expanding access to education, strengthening healthcare systems and fighting disease, while also helping mobilize billions more in private sector investments.

But he said "we all have to do more" to accelerate progress on sustainable development goals."

"Cooperation, partnership — these are the keys to progress on the challenges that affect us all, and the baseline for responsible global leadership," Biden said.