Biden to Address UN General Assembly for Final Time as President, Reports Reuters

By Steve Holland

NEW YORK – President Joe Biden is set to highlight his foreign policy legacy in a speech at the U.N. on Tuesday, while still grappling with the ongoing challenges posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

As he approaches the final months of his presidency, Biden will address global leaders at the U.N. General Assembly amidst wars that are likely to persist beyond his time in office. The situation in Gaza remains tense with efforts for a truce faltering, and recent clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have prompted the Pentagon to announce the deployment of additional troops to the region out of caution.

Biden’s presidency has been largely shaped by significant foreign policy issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in an Israeli campaign against Gaza. Dealing with the influence of China and Iran, key supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah, has also occupied a substantial portion of Biden’s attention.

A senior administration official noted that Biden’s 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) address will give him a platform to underscore what he views as significant achievements during his presidency, call for international support for Ukraine, and advocate for a diplomatic resolution in the Middle East.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed reporters during the flight to New York that Biden would outline his "vision for how the world should come together to resolve these major issues and uphold fundamental principles, such as those in the U.N. Charter."

Biden is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Washington on Thursday, where they will discuss a new Ukrainian peace plan. According to a U.S. official, this plan is expected to closely resemble prior proposals advocating for increased military support for Ukraine.

"We support Ukraine’s pursuit of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace to this war. The president is dedicated to equipping the Ukrainian military with the necessary tools to strengthen their position," Jean-Pierre stated.

Biden’s address at the U.N. will be the highlight of his two-day visit to New York, which will also include a speech on climate issues and a meeting with Vietnam’s President To Lam.

Biden aims to enhance ties with Vietnam, a strategic nation in Southeast Asia and an important manufacturing hub, as part of efforts to counterbalance Russia and China, despite Vietnam’s existing relationships with both nations.

The challenges posed by Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and China are anticipated to persist for the next administration, whether led by Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, a Democrat, or former President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Harris shares a similar foreign policy outlook with Biden but has adopted a more critical stance towards the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Conversely, Trump has shown little enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression and maintains strong backing for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose relationship with Biden has become strained.

Biden has consistently endorsed Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas in Gaza, although attempts to negotiate a ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases have yet to yield results. Under his administration, the U.S. has provided substantial military assistance to Ukraine and rallied NATO allies in support of Kyiv. However, the conflict remains largely stagnant, with Russia maintaining control over portions of eastern Ukraine that it captured earlier in the war.