Biden has kicked off his UN speech with strong rhetoric against Russia, pointed to the global body’s own rules to characterize Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine as illegal and reckless.“A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council invaded his neighbor, attempted to erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the United Nations Charter,” Biden said, as he accused president Vladimir Putin of causing a “brutal, needless war.”
“This war is about extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people,” the American president said.
“Wherever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe… That should make your blood run cold.”
US president Joe Biden has taken the stage to address world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York City, where he is expected to forcefully condemn Russia’s destructive invasion of Ukraine and call on the world to stand up against Moscow.
The American leader’s speech before the UN’s first General Assembly since Russia began its incursion comes hours after Russian president Vladimir Putin put the country’s people and economy on a war footing by announcing a partial mobilization, while also suggesting he was willing to use nuclear weapons.
Putin, announcing “Partial mobilisation” earlier today, Wednesday, has been understood to threatening to use nuclear in Ukraine, saying that Russia had “lots of weapons to reply” to what he called western threats on Russian territory and added that he was not bluffing.
In a highly anticipated televised address, Putin said the “partial mobilisation” was a direct response to the dangers posed by the west, which “wants to destroy our country”, and claimed the west had tried to “turn Ukraine’s people into cannon fodder”.
“Military service will apply only to citizens who are currently in the reserve, especially those who have served in the armed forces, have certain military professions and relevant experience,” he said.
Shortly after Putin’s announcement, the country’s defence ministry, Sergei Shoigu, said 300,000 Russians would be called up as part of the mobilisation that will apply to “those with previous military experience”.
“These are not people who’ve never seen or heard anything about the army,” he said, adding that students can “keep going to class”.
As the world leaders’ response to Russia over the latest threat is the peak of UN’s deliberation today, US’ Biden is currently at the centre stage to establish his standing.