The Russian president made the announcement in a national broadcast at 9am on Wednesday, Moscow time, lashing out at the West and hinting that he was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend what he views as Russian territory. He also voiced his support for staged referendums being planned as a precursor to the annexation of occupied areas of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow on Wednesday.Credit:AP
But Biden told global leaders that the world should “see these outrageous acts for what they are” and branded Putin’s new nuclear threats against Europe as “reckless disregard” for Russia’s responsibilities as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
“This is a war about extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people. Wherever you are, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold,” he said.
The war in Ukraine has all week dominated the UN General Assembly, which comes after two years of virtual and hybrid summits, thanks to the global pandemic.
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But while COVID-19 has eased, the gathering of leaders in New York nonetheless takes place in the shadow of multiple crises, from food insecurity and environmental degradation, to record inflation and human rights abuses across the world.
Biden addressed some of these challenges in his speech, announcing $US2.9 billion in global food aid to tackle shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the effects of climate change.
He also called for reforms to strengthen the UN, such expanding the Security Council and refraining from using the veto “except in rare, extraordinary situations”. As a member, Russia holds veto power over any action the council tries to take over the invasion of Ukraine.
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