Biden at the U.N. says supporting Ukraine will deter would-be aggressors from invading other countries

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Biden said the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Biden said the support for Ukraine is vital to discourage other nations from violating the sovereignty of their neighbors.

Video Transcript

JOE BIDEN: For the second year in a row, this gathering, dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts, is darkened by the shadow of war, an illegal war of conquest brought without provocation by Russia against its neighbor, Ukraine. Like every nation in the world, the United States wants this war to end. No nation wants this war to end more than Ukraine. And we strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that delivers just and lasting peace.

But Russia alone-- Russia alone bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. And it's Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because Russia's price for peace is Ukraine's capitulation, Ukraine's territory, and Ukraine's children.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence. But I ask you this-- if we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I would respectfully suggest the answer is "no." We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow. That's why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and their freedom.

[APPLAUSE]