US President Joe Biden is set to announce an additional funding of $2.9 billion to counter food shortages around the world on Wednesday, September 21, at the United Nations General Assembly, the White House has revealed.

The United States had previously committed $6.9 billion in food security earlier in 2022 and the additional funds will be added to it. Biden’s speech will also include a stark criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine, hours after Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a partial mobilisation of 300,000 troops.

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The US President is also expected to urge other heads of state to “stand against the naked aggression” of a UNSC member, Russia, according to Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser. Apart from that, Biden is also expected to speak about preparation for future pandemics.

“He will underscore the importance of strengthening the United Nations and reaffirm core tenets of its charter at a time when a permanent member of the Security Council has struck at the very heart of the charter by challenging the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Sullivan said.

President Joe Biden, after his morning speech at the United Nations General Assembly, will also hold a meeting with newly elected UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, followed by another meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

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Biden’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly comes hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation of 300,000 troops. The announcement was part of a televised address to Russian citizens by Putin on Wednesday, who also said that the nation is prepared to use all means to defend its territory, indicating a potential usage of nuclear armaments.

The United States and Russia have the highest number of nuclear weapons in the world. According to Putin, using nuclear weapons to blackmail Russia will backfire on the western countries, whom he also accused of trying to divide his country.