Russia trying to recover past glory 'through force', says Obama
“In a world that left the age of empire behind, we see Russia attempting to recover lost glory through force,” Obama said in his final address to the United Nations General Assembly.
No military solution in Syria
Obama insisted diplomacy is the only way to end the brutal five-year conflict in Syria, as a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow lay in tatters.
“There's no ultimate military victory to be won, we're going to have to pursue the hard work of the diplomacy that aims to stop the violence and deliver aid to those in need,” Obama told the United Nations.
His comments came hours after 18 UN aid trucks were destroyed as they tried to bring relief to war-ravaged citizens near Aleppo.
'Urgent' need to bring Paris climate deal into force
The US president urged the world to bring the Paris climate deal into force as soon as possible, calling on leaders not to leave future generations to fix the problem.
“If we don't act boldly, the bill that could come due will be mass migrations and cities submerged and nations displaced and food supplies decimated and conflicted born of despair,” he said.
“There must be a sense of urgency about bringing the agreement into force and helping poorer countries leapfrog destructive forms of energy."
Nations can 'do more' to help refugees
Obama called for the international community to step up aid for refugees. “We have to open our hearts and do more to help refugees who are desperate for a home,” he said, adding that nations should stand by pledges of increased assistance “even when the politics are hard.”
“We have to imagine what it would be like for our family, for our children. If the unspeakable happened to us,” Obama said.
“And we should all understand that ultimately our world will be more secure if we are prepared to help those in need and the nations who are carrying the largest burden with respect to accommodating these refugees.”
Obama said all sides should welcome pledges of assistance that were made at the ongoing UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
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