Biden’s Defense of Ukraine in the Conflict with Russia: A Precise and Accurate Approach

President Joe Biden might not get it right often, but his remarks on Ukraine at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday proved a welcome exception.

“Sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights — these are the core tenets of the UN Charter, the pillars of peaceful relations among nations, without which we cannot achieve any of our goals,” Biden reminded world leaders.

“That has not changed” and “must not change.”

Yet Russia continues to wage “an illegal war of conquest, brought without provocation by Russia against its neighbor, Ukraine.”

Russia alone bears full responsibility.

Vladimir Putin hopes the world will “grow weary” and eventually let him “brutalize Ukraine without consequence.”

If so, no country can “feel confident” in its safety: “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?”

Precisely: The world must “stand up to aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.”

It’s “an investment in the future of every country that seeks a world governed by basic rules that apply equally to all nations and uphold the rights of every nation, no matter how big or how small.”

Alas, some people (including, shamefully, Republicans) are fulfilling Putin’s expectations and wobbling as time passes (and costs rise).

Again: If America and the West cave, they’ll be the ones to pay the price down the road.

Kudos to Biden for standing his ground and pressing the case.

Russia cannot be allowed to win.