British Prime Minister Liz Truss used her speech at the UN General Assembly to warn democracies that they must deliver for their citizens on safety and the economy or they will “fall behind” autocracies.
Democratic societies face a “real struggle” against authoritarianism and governments cannot be complacent, she told world leaders.
Two days after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, Ms Truss praised the monarch for having “symbolised the post-war values” on which the UN was founded.
She invoked the queen’s speech to the annual general assembly in 1957 on delivering on the ideals of sovereignty and human rights.
“Now we must show that will. We must fight to defend those ideals. And we must deliver on them for all our people,” Ms Truss said.
She was set to criticise the Russian government under President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian regimes, as she sought to tackle challenges posed by China.
Ms Truss said the UK’s strength came “from the strong foundations of freedom and democracy”, while “autocracies sow the seeds of their own demise by suppressing their citizens”.
“Autocracies are fundamentally rigid and unable to adapt," an advance copy of her speech said.
"Any short-term gains are eroded in the long term because these societies stifle the aspiration and creativity which are vital to long-term growth. But we cannot simply assume there will be a democratic future.
“There is a real struggle going on between different forms of society – between democracies and autocracies.
"Unless democratic societies deliver on the economy and security our citizens expect, we will fall behind.
“We need to keep improving and renewing what we do for the new era, demonstrating that democracy delivers.”
-
Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons in London, addressing Parliament for the first time since abandoning her disastrous tax-slashing economic policies. Here, 'The National' looks at her time in power so far. AFP -
Liz Truss speaks to Grant Shapps at Downing Street as he is appointed Home Secretary, after the resignation of Suella Braverman. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
A mural by artist Ciaran Gallagher in Belfast is updated to reflect Liz Truss's current political troubles. PA -
Britain's new Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announcing tax and spending measures at the House of Commons in London, with Liz Truss sitting on the bench behind him. AFP -
Liz Truss gives a speech after sacking Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor of the exchequer. Reuters -
A protest by climate change group Extinction Rebellion in central London. Ms Truss has said the group is part of an 'anti-growth coalition' with trade unions and the main opposition Labour Party. AFP -
Ms Truss has come under increasing pressure during her short time as prime minister. AFP -
An Extinction Rebellion protest outside Downing Street on the day Mr Kwarteng was removed from the government. AP -
Ms Truss with members of the England women's football team and the European Championship trophy in Teddington, south-west London. Getty -
Ms Truss arrives for a meeting of the European Political Community at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic. AP -
Ms Truss and her husband Hugh O'Leary wave after her keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. AP -
Liz Truss gives a speech at the Conservative Party Conference. EPA -
Ms Truss meets with Mr Kwarteng, chancellor of the exchequer at the time. Photo: Andrew Parsons / CCHQ -
Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham. AFP -
Ms Truss meets US President Joe Biden for talks at the UN headquarters in New York. PA -
Ms Truss delivers a speech at the 77th session of the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York. AP -
The British prime minister holds a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York. Reuters -
Ms Truss meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the UN headquarters in New York. Reuters -
Ms Truss speaks to the media during her visit to the Empire State building in New York. AP -
Britain's new leader speaks during the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey, London. PA -
Ms Truss and her husband Hugh O'Leary observe a minute's silence at Number 10 Downing Street following the death of the queen. Reuters -
Britain's Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Truss leave after a service for the reception of Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster. AFP -
Ms Truss joins the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and selected MPs to take the oath and swear allegiance to King Charles III in the House of Commons chamber. PA -
King Charles during his first audience with Ms Truss at Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images -
Ms Truss gives a reading during a service of prayer and reflection, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth, at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Getty Images -
The British prime minister makes a statement outside 10 Downing Street in London following the queen's death. Bloomberg -
Ms Truss speaking during her first weekly Prime Minister's Questions session at the House of Commons in London. AFP -
Front pages of a selection of British national newspapers, each leading with a story about Ms Truss becoming Britain's new prime minister. AFP -
People walk past an image in central London of Ms Truss on the side of a protest bus calling for a citizens' assembly. Reuters -
Ms Truss holds her first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. Reuters -
Ms Truss speaks at Downing Street on the day she took over as prime minister from Boris Johnson. EPA -
Ms Truss poses with her husband Hugh O'Leary at Downing Street before entering as prime minister for the first time. EPA -
Ms Truss is welcomed by staff in Downing Street as she enters the famous prime ministerial offices for the first time. Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street -
New Health Secretary Therese Coffey and Number 10 staff shelter from a downpour as they wait for Ms Truss to arrive in Downing Street. PA -
Liz Truss makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to become prime minister and form a new government. PA -
Queen Elizabeth II greets the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, Ms Truss, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The queen invited Ms Truss to become prime minister and form a new government. Getty Images
Mr Putin has announced that referendums on Russian annexation will be held in areas of Ukraine under Moscow's control. World leaders have decried the move.
Ms Truss was set to accuse Mr Putin of “desperately trying to claim the mantle of democracy for a regime without human rights or freedoms”.
She said progress as a “new Britain for a new era” begins with economic growth and building an economy that “rewards enterprise and attracts investment”.
But it also means “securing affordable and reliable supplies of energy” and “cutting off the toxic power and pipelines from authoritarian regimes”.
Priyanka Chopra and other stars at UN General Assembly 2022 - in pictures
-
Priyanka Chopra speaks at the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: Instagram / priyankachopra -
Chopra was at the event as part of her role as Unicef Goodwill Ambassador. Photo: Instagram / priyankachopra -
Amanda Gorman recites a poem during an event called SDG Moment at the UN headquarters. AP -
The SDG Moment at UN General Assembly is meant to highlight the urgency and importance of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. AP -
2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai addresses the UN's Transforming Education Summit. EPA -
K-pop group Blackpink also called for action against climate change ahead of the UN General Assembly. The comments marked a year since the group became advocates for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals — the first Asian act to earn the title — for the Cop26 climate conference in 2021. AP
Ms Truss praised the “strength of collective purpose” in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
But she warned that support for country must not wane.
“In Ukraine, barbarous weapons are being used to kill and maim people," Ms Truss said.
"Rape is being used as an instrument of war. Families are being torn apart.
“And this morning we have seen Putin desperately trying to justify his catastrophic failures. He is doubling down by sending even more reservists to a terrible fate.
“He is desperately trying to claim the mantle of democracy for a regime without human rights or freedoms. And he is making yet more bogus claims and sabre-rattling threats.
“This will not work. The international alliance is strong. Ukraine is strong.”
Ms Truss told fellow world leaders that the UK would spend 3 per cent of its gross domestic product on defence by 2030, repeating a promise she made when she campaigned to become leader of the Conservative Party.
“In the face of rising aggression we have shown we have the power to act and the resolve to see it through. But this must not be a one-off," she said.
“This must be a new era in which we commit to ourselves, our citizens, and this institution that we will do whatever it takes — whatever it takes to deliver for our people and defend our values.”
UN General Assembly memorable moments - in pictures
-
Likened to diplomatic 'speed dating', UN General Assembly gives the world's top diplomats a chance to meet in person. The assembly has played host to a number of famous moments over the years. AP -
Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi famously addressed the UNGA for more than 90 minutes in 2009. Photo: UN -
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said in 2006 that he could smell sulphur in the UN chamber after George W Bush spoke, likening the US leader to the 'Devil'. Photo: UN -
Mr Bush at UNGA in 2005. Photo: UN -
The UN Headquarters in New York. Residents of the Big Apple brace themselves for two weeks of traffic chaos as UNGA takes place. EPA -
South Korean ambassador to the UN Cho Hyun speaking in the chamber. Reuters -
Cuban leader Fidel Castro addressing the General Assembly. Photo: UN -
Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005. Photo: UN -
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, addresses UNGA. Photo: UN
Ms Truss praised the “brave, dignified” Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, who is attending the summit in New York.
She also drew an explicit link between the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis facing the UK and countries across Europe, as she promised not to be affected by cutting off “toxic power and pipelines” from authoritarian regimes.
“We will ensure we cannot be coerced or harmed by the reckless actions of rogue actors abroad," Ms Truss said.
“We will transition to a future based on renewable and nuclear energy whilst ensuring that the gas used during that transition is from reliable sources, including our own North Sea production.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Putin's comments in a televised address to the nation appeared to suggest the conflict in Ukraine could become a nuclear crisis.
He announced a partial military mobilisation, with 300,000 reservists set to be called up as the Kremlin tries to regain ground from a counter-attack by Ukraine’s forces.
And Mr Putin said “it’s not a bluff” when he vowed that Russia would use its weapons of mass destruction if its territory were threatened.
He accused the West of “nuclear blackmail” and claimed “high-ranking representatives of the leading Nato states” had talked about the possibility of using weapons of mass destruction against Russia.
“To those who allow themselves such statements regarding Russia, I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction,” Mr Putin said.
Vladimir Putin says Russia will use 'all means' to defend its territory - video
His comments prompted stern responses from other world leaders.
US President Joe Biden used his speech at the summit to condemn Mr Putin’s “reckless disregard” for the country’s responsibilities as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after a meeting with Ms Truss, said: “We condemn Putin’s actions and agree that his calls to mobilise parts of the population are a sign of weakness. Russia’s invasion is failing.”
The referendums in pro-Moscow regions of Ukraine could give Russia the pretext for a wider war because Mr Putin would be able to claim parts of his state were being attacked.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK would never recognise the results of “sham referendums” that were “held at the barrel of a gun”.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Mr Putin’s actions were “an admission that his invasion is failing” and “Russia is becoming a global pariah”.
Melinda Simmons, the UK’s ambassador to Kyiv, said his “essential weakness” was “he still refuses to understand Ukraine”.
Biden at UNGA: Russia 'shamelessly violated' UN Charter with Ukraine war - video
A British defence intelligence update suggested Mr Putin was being forced to undermine his own public position that the war in Ukraine was a “special military operation” rather than a full-scale conflict.
“These new measures have highly likely been brought forward due to public criticism and mark a further development in Russia’s strategy,” the UK Ministry of Defence said.
“Putin is accepting greater political risk by undermining the fiction that Russia is neither in a war nor a national crisis, in the hope of generating more combat power.”
Ms Truss, who held talks with Mr Biden on Wednesday, is using her visit to the UN to rally support for Ukraine.
She joined Ms Zelenska and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to tour an exhibition titled Russian War Crimes at the Ukrainian Institute of America on Tuesday evening.
