Russia Attempting To ‘Extinguish’ Ukrainians’ Right To Live

Topline

Russia is attempting to “extinguish” Ukrainians’ “right to exist,” President Joe Biden said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in which he took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin for waging a war in Ukraine and urged “unwavering” support for the country as it continues to push back against the Russian invasion.

Key Facts

Russia has carried out a “needless” war “chosen by one man,” Biden said during the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly..

In doing so, Putin “shamelessly violated” UN principles, Biden said, asking international leaders to “see these outrageous acts for what they are” and to continue to oppose Russia’s actions and defend the UN charter.

Biden pointed to evidence of mass graves and torture in the town of Izium, which was recently reclaimed by Ukrainian forces after being under Russian control, as well as other war crimes committed by Russia as proof the invasion is aimed at “extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state plain and simple and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people.”“

Wherever you are,” he said, that should “make your blood run cold.”

Crucial Quote

“A permanent member of the UN Security Council invaded its neighbor, attempted to erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the United Nations charter,” Biden said.

News Peg

Biden’s speech comes hours after Putin delivered his own remarks in a pre-recorded televised speech Wednesday morning in which he announced he would draft up to 300,000 reservists as Russia struggles to push back on Ukraine. He also threatened nuclear escalation, claiming Russia is ready to use all means necessary to defend the country’s territorial integrity. The speech came a day after Russian forces in Kremlin-occupied eastern and southern Ukrainian regions announced referendums on annexation to Russia. Biden on Wednesday called the referendum a “sham” and an “extremely significant violation of the UN charter.”

Key Background

More than 150 world leaders—excluding Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and two other heads of government—are coming together in New York this week for the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. It’s the largest annual gathering of leaders and the first in-person meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic. The war in Ukraine is expected to be a key focus of the meeting, and in opening remarks Tuesday UN Secretary-General António Guterres singled out Russia’s invasion as an example of one of the “big dramatic challenges of our age.”

Further Reading

Putin Taps 300,000 Reservists To Fight In Ukraine As He Backs Referendums In Russian Occupied Territories (Forbes)

UN General Assembly latest news: Biden rebukes Russia in speech (Washington Post)