Biden at UN urges Russia accountability over Ukraine and slams China as he extols democracy
- Vowing to work with allies and partners, US leader depicts policies from Moscow and Beijing as running counter to constructive ‘vision for our world’
- While Russia bears brunt of US criticism, China’s handling of Xinjiang and climate change among challenges identified for UN to help tackle
“The United States and I, as president, champion a vision for our world that is grounded in the values of democracy,” Biden said in his 30-minute address.
“The United States is determined to defend and strengthen democracy at home and around the world because I believe democracy remains humanity’s greatest instrument to address the challenges of our time.”
Biden struck a bullish and confident tone similar to his UN address last year, when he sought to depict the US as a global torch-bearer in a struggle against authoritarianism.
“The United States is … working closely with our allies and partners to impose costs on Russia to deter attacks against Nato territory, to hold Russia accountable for the atrocities and war crimes because if nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we put at risk everything this very institution stands for,” he said.