Status: 19.09.2023, 17:49 p.m.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (M) arrives at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on. © Seth Wenig/AP/dpa
There is no end in sight to the war in Ukraine. This makes it all the more important for President Zelensky to support the UN general debate. The US makes it clear: if Kiev is not safe, no one is.
New York - US President Joe Biden has called on the international community to stand by Ukraine in its defensive fight against Russia for its own protection in the face of increasing war fatigue. "The world must confront naked aggression today to deter other potential aggressors tomorrow," Biden said at the beginning of the general debate of the UN General Assembly in New York in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Biden invoked the cohesion of the 193 UN member countries: "If we allow Ukraine to be dismembered, is the independence of any nation certain? The answer is no." On Wednesday night (CEST), a speech by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the General Assembly is also on the agenda.
The US president warned: "Russia believes that the world is getting tired and will allow it to brutally treat Ukraine without consequences." If basic international principles were abandoned "in order to appease an aggressor, can any Member State feel safe that it is protected?"
The US president did not mention concerns about a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Beijing considers the democratic island to be part of its territory. Biden, however, emphasized once again that the United States is not seeking conflict with China. "We are trying to make competition between our countries responsibly so that it does not degenerate into a conflict."
Zelensky in an olive green polo shirt
Zelensky, who wore an olive green military-style polo shirt during the general debate, had arrived in New York the day before for the first time since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against his country in February 2022. Immediately after arriving with his wife Olena Zelenska, Zelensky visited a hospital in the Staten Island district where wounded Ukrainian soldiers are being treated.
He will give several important speeches at the United Nations on Manhattan's East River. The 45-year-old is expected to campaign for support in the war against Russia, his conditions for peace and Kiev's ideas for a war crimes tribunal.
Appearance in New York: Chance for Zelensky
Zelensky had recently taken part in several summits - G7, NATO, EU. His trip to the world's largest diplomatic meeting in New York is seen as a great opportunity for the Ukrainian to convince skeptical countries of his course.
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However, many countries, especially in Latin America, Africa and Asia, would like to see greater attention paid to their problems and to the main issue that the United Nations is actually aiming for: new cooperation on an equal footing between industrialised and developing countries. Biden also advocated giving economically weaker countries more say and weight in international institutions.
No solution without dialogue - developing countries press for peace
Many of the leaders of the so-called Global South want peace in Ukraine - this is prominently demonstrated in the mediation attempts of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who addressed Biden in the domed hall of the General Assembly. In his speech, which was dominated by concerns about the effects of climate change, Lula insisted on peace talks for Ukraine. "We do not underestimate the difficulties of achieving peace. But no solution will last if it is not based on dialogue," he said. Most recently, Lula said in an interview that the war in Ukraine is tiring humanity.
UN week in the shadow of Zelensky
Zelensky and the Ukraine war will continue to dominate the diplomatic meeting in New York in the coming days: On Wednesday, the most powerful UN body, the 15-member Security Council, is to meet. There, the Ukrainian president could meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the first time since Russia's invasion.
In view of the frustration of the war, Zelensky must also credibly explain why he is currently rejecting talks with Russia. It remains to be seen how he will respond to expectations, especially from the so-called Global South, to de-escalate the war.
At a face-to-face meeting with German Chancellor Scholz, Zelensky could again push for a delivery of Taurus cruise missiles. From New York, Zelensky wants to travel on to Washington, where he has appointments on Thursday.
Most recently, he was received like a hero in the U.S. capital shortly before Christmas. Since then, however, the situation has changed there as well: The Republicans are in charge of the US House of Representatives, and there is some skepticism among them as to whether the US should continue to pump money into a war on a large scale.
UN chief Guterres: World is coming apart at the seams
At the opening of the general debate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned against a division of the world. There are deep rifts between the largest economic and military powers, between East and West, and between rich states and developing countries. "Our world is coming apart at the seams. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are increasing. And we don't seem to be able to come together to respond to that." A "global compromise" is needed to reform international institutions. "It's about reform or breaking." dpa