With only four months remaining in his term, President Joe Biden is set to address world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, September 24, amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and a potential new crisis in Lebanon.
Biden’s address follows the Pentagon’s announcement on Monday regarding the deployment of a small number of additional troops to the Middle East as a precautionary measure.
His presidency has been marked by significant foreign policy challenges, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, which triggered a subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza.
A senior U.S. administration official indicated that Biden’s speech will serve as an opportunity to highlight what he views as key accomplishments during his presidency. It will also be a platform to urge the international community to support Ukraine and pursue a diplomatic resolution in the Middle East.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden will present his “vision for how the world should unite to tackle major issues and uphold fundamental principles such as the U.N. Charter.”
Biden is scheduled to discuss a new Ukrainian peace plan with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during their meeting in Washington on Thursday. A U.S. official noted that the plan likely resembles earlier proposals calling for increased military support for Ukraine.
“We support Ukraine’s pursuit of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace to this war, and the president is committed to providing the Ukrainian military with the necessary equipment to enhance their position,” Jean-Pierre added.
The president’s U.N. speech will be the highlight of his two-day visit to New York, which also includes a climate address later on Tuesday and a meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam on Wednesday.
Challenges related to Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Iran, and China are expected to persist for the next president, whether that individual is Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, or former President Donald Trump, a Republican.
