In his fourth and final address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Joe Biden covered quite a bit of ground, though the Democrat appeared especially animated when speaking about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“The world now has another choice to make: Will we sustain our support to help Ukraine win this war and preserve its freedom or walk away and let aggression be renewed and a nation be destroyed?” Biden asked. “I know my answer. We cannot grow weary. We cannot look away. And we will not let up on our support for Ukraine, not until Ukraine wins a just and durable peace.”
If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected in November, the world can expect the United States to follow through on the commitments Biden outlined at the U.N. If, however, Donald Trump returns to power, it appears increasingly likely that American policy toward Ukraine would change course dramatically. NBC News reported:
Trump signaled reluctance about providing further U.S. financial assistance to Ukraine, just hours after Biden defended U.S. backing of its ally in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly. ‘Every time [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion,’ Trump said from a campaign stage in the battleground state of Georgia. ‘I think he’s the greatest salesman on Earth.’”
As part of the same remarks, the Republican marveled at the history of Russia’s military might — suggesting the Russian forces might not be worth trying to fend off — while appearing to goad his audience into booing the Ukrainian leader.
Trump on Russia: Somebody told me the other day, they beat Hitler, they beat Napoleon. That's what they do. pic.twitter.com/OCvRTPvP0j
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 24, 2024
The comments came one day after the former president held a rally in Pennsylvania in which he insisted that the U.S. is to blame for Russia’s war in Ukraine, mocked Zelenskyy and argued without evidence that Ukraine’s president wants Harris to win the 2024 election “so badly.”
This also comes on the heels of Trump refusing to say whether or not he wants our Ukrainian allies to win the war.
In June, Sen. Tom Cotton appeared on Fox News and said opponents of Russia’s war in Ukraine have nothing to fear from a Trump election victory. “[Former] President Trump has said that he strongly supports Ukraine’s strength and survival,” the Arkansas Republican said.
Three months later, it seems “strongly” might’ve been the wrong choice of words.
As for the near future, Trump had tentative plans to meet with Zelenskyy, but NBC News reported that plans have changed and that the Republican candidate no longer wants to have the meeting.
