'We cannot grow weary' Biden urges support for Kyiv in final summation

Joe Biden yesterday sought to defend his foreign policy achievements on the world stage with an address to the UN general assembly against a backdrop of three brutal, intractable wars that have stymied world diplomats seeking an end to the bloodshed.

- Andrew Roth

Addressing the assembly hall in New York, Biden took on the mantle of elder statesman as he alternated between a message of hope and a defence of his foreign policy record.

Without giving a clear vision of how the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan might end, he drew on his five decades in government service to exhort leaders to serve their people and find ways to make peace.

"I've seen a remarkable sweep of history," he said. "Things can get better, we should never forget that, I've seen that throughout my career."

Biden began with Ukraine, where he again condemned Vladimir Putin's invasion and called for continued support for Kyiv.