President’s speech will focus on fostering international cooperation to address global threats, promote economic prosperity, and uphold human rights…reports Asian Lite News
President Biden is scheduled to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City from September 23 to 25, as per an official statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
During this event, Biden will address the assembly on September 24, outlining his administration’s priorities and vision. His speech will focus on fostering international cooperation to address global threats, promote economic prosperity, and uphold human rights.
In addition to his address, Biden will meet with various world leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing global security and advancing shared goals. These discussions are expected to cover a broad range of topics, including international peace efforts, global economic stability, and the protection of human rights.
The meetings reflect the ongoing commitment of the Biden administration to strengthen international partnerships and address pressing global challenges.
This visit comes shortly after President Biden’s announcement of the fourth in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit, which he will host in Wilmington, Delaware on September 21. The summit will include leaders from Australia, India, and Japan, with a focus on reinforcing strategic cooperation among the Quad countries.
The Quad partnership – comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region and tackle critical issues such as health security, maritime security, and climate change.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted the significance of this summit, noting that it will be President Biden’s first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington. “This will be President Biden’s first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president–a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries,” Jean-Pierre said.
The summit underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to the Quad, following the first-ever summit at the White House in 2021 and subsequent annual meetings.
As the next Quad Summit is scheduled to be hosted by India, the outcomes of these discussions are anticipated to further enhance the strategic alignment among Quad nations and address key regional and global issues.
Zelenskyy to present his peace plan
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he has a plan for victory in Russia’s war against his country, and that he intends to present the proposal to Biden later this month.
In a speech at the opening of the 20th Annual Yalta European Strategy Meeting in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said wars of aggression, such as the one being waged by Russia against Ukraine, can end positively by either the occupying army being pushed out on the battlefield or through diplomacy, in which the invaded country is freed from occupation and its independence is preserved.
“In both cases, Ukraine needs a strong position,” he said. “The United States can help with this. If we, along with our key partner, equally strive for victory.” He said he will present the plan to Biden when they meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
In his speech, Zelenskyy once again expressed his frustration at not yet receiving permission from allies — specifically the United States and Britain — to use their long-range weapons against targets inside Russia. Both nations have expressed concern about being drawn into a direct confrontation with Russia.
The Ukrainian president referenced conversations he had this week with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy when they visited Kyiv. He said he raised the question with the two diplomats and indicated they were both noncommittal.
Zelenskyy said Russia is using drones made in Iran to attack Ukraine, and this week it was announced Russia is receiving short-range ballistic missiles from Iran to use in the war. He said Iran is supplying similar weaponry to Israel’s enemies.
“If the [Western] allies are jointly shooting down missiles and drones in the skies over the Middle East, why is there still no similar decision to jointly shoot down Russian missiles and Iranian ‘Shaheds’ over Ukraine?” he asked.
He said when the issue is raised with Ukraine’s partners, though, “which we do constantly, to be honest, everyone tries to talk around it … they’re even afraid to say, ‘we are working on it.’ They’re afraid even of those words. That’s the truth.”
Ukraine on Biden’s agenda
Zelenskyy’s comments came on the same day Biden met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House to discuss, among other issues, support for Ukraine. Changing the policy on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons against Russia was reportedly on the agenda.
Earlier this week, Biden signaled he is open to loosening restrictions further, telling a reporter that his administration was “working that out now.”
A reporter asked Biden what he thought of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat of war if Western allies allowed Ukraine to use their long-range weapons against Russia.
“I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin,” Biden responded.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine has already been able to strike inside Russia with its own internally produced systems, including drones. Speaking in a meeting of allied defense ministers last week, Austin said he did not believe providing Kyiv with long-range attack capability would be “decisive” in the war.
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