TRANSCRIPT: Remarks by President Biden Before the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, NY [Excerpt]
(The White House – Sept. 19, 2023)
“… For the second year in a row, this gathering dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts is darkened by the shadow of war — an illegal war of conquest, brought without provocation by Russia against its neighbor, Ukraine.
Like every nation in the world, the United States wants this war to end. No nation wants this war to end more than Ukraine.
And we strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that delivers just and lasting peace.
But Russia alone — Russia alone bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. And it is Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because the — Russia’s price for peace is Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory, and Ukraine’s children.
Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.
But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States [U.N. 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.
We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.
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. (Applause.)
It’s not only an investment in Ukraine’s future, but in the future of every country that seeks a world governed by basic rules that apply equally to all nations and uphold the rights of every nation, no matter how big or how small: sovereignty, territorial integrity. They are the fixed foundations of this noble body, and universal human rights is its North Star. We cannot sacrifice either. …”