Obama Takes On Russia In His UN Address
The message by President Obama was simple: nations of the world have to work together for peace and prosperity. The alternative was instability and descent into destructive rivalries in the quest of territorial expansion. He emphasized Russia's role in the recent events concerning Ukraine.
In his UN address, President Obama started by remembering why the international institution was formed. He elaborated the achievements of the nations and contrasted it with the times of the two World Wars that saw millions of people lose their lives.
The President said that Russia's actions in Ukraine reminded him of the time when larger nations "trampled small ones in pursuit of territorial ambition." He said that nations across the globe have to follow international norms and resolve all territorial disputes through peaceful means.
Elaborating Russia's actions in Ukraine, President Obama explained the events in the country in chronological order. It started with popular movements of protest in the country that led to its president fleeing the country. This was followed by Crimea being annexed by Russia.
President Obama further said that Russia "pored arms into eastern Ukraine," leading to an increase in violence by the separatist forces in the region. He pointed out that access to the crash site was denied after a civilian plane was shot down in the area.
He also highlighted the fact that Russia mobilised its troops when the government of Ukraine started to take action against the separatists. President Obama indicated that Russia's vision for the world was one where "might makes right." He contrasted this view with a vision of the U.S saying that his country believed that "right makes might," a world where bigger nations are not able to bully smaller nations.
President Obama emphasised the role played by U.S troops to help contain the recent Ebola Virus outbreak in West Africa to make his point. He however conceded that nations have not done enough to make the public health systems better in developing countries.
A major portion of President Obama's speech was focused on the war against the terrorist organisation ISIL. He reiterated his past statement that the U.S was not at war with Islam. He said that the terrorist organisation had "perverted one of the world's great religions," and divided the world into adherents and infidels.
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