President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly where he announced a $2.9 billion package to address global food security which has been made more precarious due in part to the war in Ukraine.
"This new announcement of $2.9 billion will save lives through emergency interventions and invest in medium to long term food security assistance in order to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis," the White House said on Wednesday.
His address came on the same day Russian President Vladamir Putin announced he is calling up reservists. Putin’s announcement followed Ukraine retaking eastern parts of its nation back as Russian troops retreated.
“In the last year, our world has experienced great upheaval. A growing crisis in food insecurity. Record heat, fires, floods, and droughts. COVID-19. Inflation. And a brutal, needless war. A war chosen by one man," Biden told world leaders Wednesday.
“This war is about extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state — and Ukrainians’ right to exist as a people…that should make your blood run cold," Biden added.
Putin also said he is not bluffing over the possible use of nuclear weapons, which drew the ire of Biden in his address.
"The world should see these outrageous acts for what they are," Biden said. "Putin claims he had to act because Russia was threatened. But no one threatened Russia. And no one other than Russia sought conflict."
Russia is one of five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and has the ability to veto any measure the body considers.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Biden's address was aimed at U.N. members that "have stood on the sidelines" in supporting Ukraine against Russia.
While Ukraine was a major talking point for Biden, also addressed global health, climate change and other issues.
Following his address, Biden will meet with new British Prime Minister Liz Truss, two weeks after she replaced Boris Johnson.
