President Trump today urged world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly to adhere to the U.N.’s original purpose — the resolution of international disputes by peaceful means.
Noting that he himself has ended seven conflicts in the first seven months of his administration, without hearing from the U.N., the president said the international body is not living up to its founding mandate to protect peace and security. “What is the purpose of the United Nations?” the president asked . Acknowledging its “tremendous potential” to end wars or stop them from starting, he lamented that it is “not even coming close to living up to that potential.”
The president spoke of his desire for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine. To applause the president said, “Release the hostages now” to Hamas, demanding that it release remaining hostages — not a few at a time, but all at once.
While expressing his commitment to an end to the war in Ukraine, President Trump chastised countries funding the conflict by purchasing Russian oil, naming China and India as “primary funders” and criticizing European countries for acting against their own ideals through their purchases. “Cease all energy purchases from Russia,” he said.
Trump appealed to leaders of sovereign nations to protect their country’s borders against illegal immigration. “Every sovereign nation must have the right to control their own borders,” he said.
He cited his administration’s successful efforts to stop illegal border crossings and reduce the flow of illicit drugs into the United States. His administration designated drug cartels, as well as the international gangs MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations.
In addressing economic security, the president criticized global climate pacts that harm economic development, noting that signatories are replacing traditional energy with renewables that are costly and ineffective. “The primary effect of these brutal green energy policies has not been to help the environment but to redistribute manufacturing and industrial activity from developed countries” that follow the rules, the president said.
The president heralded a chance for successful international cooperation in a potential verification system that will use artificial intelligence to enforce the biological weapons convention and stop risky research into bioweapons and man-made pathogens.
“Hopefully the UN can play a constructive role,” the president said.
Noting that the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary next year, Trump urged other world leaders to similarly honor their nations’ founders and protect their own traditions. “Every leader in this beautiful hall today represents a rich culture, a noble history and a proud heritage that makes each nation majestic and unique, unlike anything else in human history or any other place on the face of the earth,” the president said.
“So, together, let us uphold our sacred duty to our people and to our citizens. Let us protect their borders; ensure their safety; preserve their cultures, treasure, and traditions; and fight, fight, fight for their precious dreams and their cherished freedoms,” the president said.
