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| UN general assembly: International community has failed Syrians, says Rouhani | UN general assembly: International community has failed Syrians, says Rouhani |
| (4 months later) | |
| 7.35pm BST | |
| 19:35 | |
| We’re closing the live blog now. The president of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, has just addressed the assembly. He will be followed by the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander, Kazhakstan’s Nursultan Nazarbayev, Mexico’s Enrique Peña Nieto, Portugal’s Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, Denmark’s Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Ethiopia’s Hailemariam Dessalegn. The assembly will then adjourn before the afternoon session. A full list of speakers is available here. | We’re closing the live blog now. The president of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, has just addressed the assembly. He will be followed by the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander, Kazhakstan’s Nursultan Nazarbayev, Mexico’s Enrique Peña Nieto, Portugal’s Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, Denmark’s Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Ethiopia’s Hailemariam Dessalegn. The assembly will then adjourn before the afternoon session. A full list of speakers is available here. |
| We’ve included a brief summary of what this morning’s key speakers - mainly Obama, Putin, Rouhani and Hollande - said below. | We’ve included a brief summary of what this morning’s key speakers - mainly Obama, Putin, Rouhani and Hollande - said below. |
| Thanks for reading and for your comments. | Thanks for reading and for your comments. |
| Updated | |
| at 7.39pm BST | |
| 7.13pm BST | |
| 19:13 | |
| François Hollande's speech - in brief | François Hollande's speech - in brief |
| Kim Willsher | Kim Willsher |
| French president François Holland began his address talking about the climate, and went on to address conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. | French president François Holland began his address talking about the climate, and went on to address conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. |
| This translation of Hollande’s speech was performed simultaneously and contains the key points of his address. You can watch the speech in full here. | This translation of Hollande’s speech was performed simultaneously and contains the key points of his address. You can watch the speech in full here. |
| Updated | |
| at 11.56am BST | |
| 7.11pm BST | |
| 19:11 | |
| Hollande said there has to be a “political transition” in Syria. He said the international community is closing its eyes while refugees have begun a long march. He added that 80% of refugees are in the south: “Often the poorest who are welcoming the poorest.” | Hollande said there has to be a “political transition” in Syria. He said the international community is closing its eyes while refugees have begun a long march. He added that 80% of refugees are in the south: “Often the poorest who are welcoming the poorest.” |
| He said Europe must do its duty “but the world must help these refugees”. We have to help, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and African countries who are transit for refugees “to avoid other dramas”.Hollande announced an additional 100 million euros in aid to neighbouring countries around Syria. “The UN must be able to sort out the dramas, it’s our impotence that will condemn us,” he said. | He said Europe must do its duty “but the world must help these refugees”. We have to help, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and African countries who are transit for refugees “to avoid other dramas”.Hollande announced an additional 100 million euros in aid to neighbouring countries around Syria. “The UN must be able to sort out the dramas, it’s our impotence that will condemn us,” he said. |
| 7.00pm BST | |
| 19:00 | |
| Hollande says in cases of mass atrocity the rights of the veto should not be used or the UN will remain paralysed. “France will never use its veto when we are dealing with cases of mass atrocities”. | Hollande says in cases of mass atrocity the rights of the veto should not be used or the UN will remain paralysed. “France will never use its veto when we are dealing with cases of mass atrocities”. |
| He says the right of veto is not tantamount to the right to block. We have to and can act, we have been for 70 years. We must assuage tragedies and help our planet. | He says the right of veto is not tantamount to the right to block. We have to and can act, we have been for 70 years. We must assuage tragedies and help our planet. |
| 6.55pm BST | |
| 18:55 | |
| Hollande says Syria calls upon us to mobilise and interfere. Everyone thinks this is a tragedy, and the solution must be found. Let’s look for it together. | Hollande says Syria calls upon us to mobilise and interfere. Everyone thinks this is a tragedy, and the solution must be found. Let’s look for it together. |
| He says the Syrian tragedy started with the revolution which wanted to oust Assad. At that time there were no terrorists and fundamental groups. There was a dictatorship that was massacring people. | He says the Syrian tragedy started with the revolution which wanted to oust Assad. At that time there were no terrorists and fundamental groups. There was a dictatorship that was massacring people. |
| The millions of refugees are not only fleeing a war, they’re fleeing Assad’s regime, which is dropping bombs on innocent civilians, Hollande says. It’s not because we have a terrorist group which itself massacres, rapes and destroys, that would mean there is a pardoned amnesty issued for the regime that created the situation. All of these people are victims of the tragedy that was generated by the alliance between terrorism and dictatorship. | The millions of refugees are not only fleeing a war, they’re fleeing Assad’s regime, which is dropping bombs on innocent civilians, Hollande says. It’s not because we have a terrorist group which itself massacres, rapes and destroys, that would mean there is a pardoned amnesty issued for the regime that created the situation. All of these people are victims of the tragedy that was generated by the alliance between terrorism and dictatorship. |
| Hollande says France intends to shoulder its responsibilities, and this includes armed action. “We work with everyone including neighbouring states, the most affected: the Gulf states, Iran, but also European countries.” | Hollande says France intends to shoulder its responsibilities, and this includes armed action. “We work with everyone including neighbouring states, the most affected: the Gulf states, Iran, but also European countries.” |
| He says a coalition is necessary to bring an end to what is happening in Syria. It has to have a clear basis, and this was provided in Geneva more than three years ago. You can’t put together victims and people killing them. “Assad is the origin of the problem, he can’t therefore be the solution.” | He says a coalition is necessary to bring an end to what is happening in Syria. It has to have a clear basis, and this was provided in Geneva more than three years ago. You can’t put together victims and people killing them. “Assad is the origin of the problem, he can’t therefore be the solution.” |
| 6.47pm BST | |
| 18:47 | |
| Hollande is still talking about climate change. He says the upcoming conference in Paris will ask one single question: is humankind capable preserving life on this planet? We need developed country to take on financial commitments, he adds. | Hollande is still talking about climate change. He says the upcoming conference in Paris will ask one single question: is humankind capable preserving life on this planet? We need developed country to take on financial commitments, he adds. |
| 6.43pm BST | |
| 18:43 | |
| 6.42pm BST | |
| 18:42 | |
| Francoise Hollande is now speaking. He says terrorism hits civilian populations and no country is safe from this scurge. There are also conflicts that have been unresolved for years. Referring to the Middle East, he says we all know they could disintegrate at any moment. | Francoise Hollande is now speaking. He says terrorism hits civilian populations and no country is safe from this scurge. There are also conflicts that have been unresolved for years. Referring to the Middle East, he says we all know they could disintegrate at any moment. |
| During this time there are disasters: tsunamis, earthquakes, islands on verge of disappearing – this is climate change. Faced with these challenges, everyone has to shoulder their responsibility, Hollande says. France has never been idle and decided to hold the conference on climate change. “We are aware we had a terrible fiasco in Copenhagen and this time around need to come up with a good decision.” | During this time there are disasters: tsunamis, earthquakes, islands on verge of disappearing – this is climate change. Faced with these challenges, everyone has to shoulder their responsibility, Hollande says. France has never been idle and decided to hold the conference on climate change. “We are aware we had a terrible fiasco in Copenhagen and this time around need to come up with a good decision.” |
| 6.37pm BST | |
| 18:37 | |
| Hassan Rouhani's speech - Saeed Kamali Dehghan's analysis | Hassan Rouhani's speech - Saeed Kamali Dehghan's analysis |
| Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Saeed Kamali Dehghan |
| Under pressure from home critics to cut short his UN visit and return to Tehran in the face of growing Iranian deaths in Mina stampede, Hassan Rouhani started his speech at the UN general assembly with remembering the Iranian victims, criticising Saudi Arabia and urging an investigation into the tragedy. | Under pressure from home critics to cut short his UN visit and return to Tehran in the face of growing Iranian deaths in Mina stampede, Hassan Rouhani started his speech at the UN general assembly with remembering the Iranian victims, criticising Saudi Arabia and urging an investigation into the tragedy. |
| It emerged on Monday that the latest Iranian death toll stands at 228 while as many as 248 people are still missing, according to local media. This is significantly higher than previously thought. “Many who had come together in the spiritual gathering hajj unfortunately fell victims to incompetence and mismanagement of those in charge,” he said, adding that Saudi “unaccountability” has prevented identifying the missing people and the return of dead bodied to Iran. | It emerged on Monday that the latest Iranian death toll stands at 228 while as many as 248 people are still missing, according to local media. This is significantly higher than previously thought. “Many who had come together in the spiritual gathering hajj unfortunately fell victims to incompetence and mismanagement of those in charge,” he said, adding that Saudi “unaccountability” has prevented identifying the missing people and the return of dead bodied to Iran. |
| “Public opinion demands that Saudi Arabian officials promptly fulfill their international obligations and grant immediate consular access,” he said, referring to the difficulties Iranian officials have faced in order to obtain Saudi visa to travel to Mecca to deal with the crisis. “It is necessary to prepare for an independent and precise investigation into causes of this disaster and ways to prevent its repetition in the future.” | “Public opinion demands that Saudi Arabian officials promptly fulfill their international obligations and grant immediate consular access,” he said, referring to the difficulties Iranian officials have faced in order to obtain Saudi visa to travel to Mecca to deal with the crisis. “It is necessary to prepare for an independent and precise investigation into causes of this disaster and ways to prevent its repetition in the future.” |
| Rouhani a large part of his speech to mention the landmark Iranian nuclear deal struck in Vienna in July and lay out its consequences for Iran and the west. His strongest line was “we won’t forget the past but we do not want to live in the past.” He was referring to the international sanctions that in his opinion and in the view of many Iranians unjustly punished his countrymen for some years. “Today a new chapter has started in Iran’s relations with the world”, Rouhani said, emphasising that the Iranian people chose the path of “hope and moderation” two years ago by electing him to office in Iran, a country he described as a “religious democracy”. | Rouhani a large part of his speech to mention the landmark Iranian nuclear deal struck in Vienna in July and lay out its consequences for Iran and the west. His strongest line was “we won’t forget the past but we do not want to live in the past.” He was referring to the international sanctions that in his opinion and in the view of many Iranians unjustly punished his countrymen for some years. “Today a new chapter has started in Iran’s relations with the world”, Rouhani said, emphasising that the Iranian people chose the path of “hope and moderation” two years ago by electing him to office in Iran, a country he described as a “religious democracy”. |
| The Iranian president lashed out at Israel a couple of times, saying “the zionist regime” was the only impediment towards securing the nuclear agreement. He later criticised the US for extending an unwavering support for Tel Aviv and ignoring the plight of what he described as “oppressed Palestinians”. He said the US was pursuing “baseless accusations and pursuing other dangerous policies” in defence of its regional allies cultivating extremism, presumably referring to Saudi Arabia and Israel. | The Iranian president lashed out at Israel a couple of times, saying “the zionist regime” was the only impediment towards securing the nuclear agreement. He later criticised the US for extending an unwavering support for Tel Aviv and ignoring the plight of what he described as “oppressed Palestinians”. He said the US was pursuing “baseless accusations and pursuing other dangerous policies” in defence of its regional allies cultivating extremism, presumably referring to Saudi Arabia and Israel. |
| Rouhani urged the world to form a “united front” against extremism and violence and said the biggest threat facing the world is for the terrorist organisations to become a terrorist state, referring to the Islamic state (Isis). | Rouhani urged the world to form a “united front” against extremism and violence and said the biggest threat facing the world is for the terrorist organisations to become a terrorist state, referring to the Islamic state (Isis). |
| “We are prepared to assist in eradication of terrorism. We are prepared to help bring democracy to Syria, Yemen,” he said. Iran wants peace in the region based on win-win situation, he said. | “We are prepared to assist in eradication of terrorism. We are prepared to help bring democracy to Syria, Yemen,” he said. Iran wants peace in the region based on win-win situation, he said. |
| Rouhani said Iran wants to become a business hub in the region. Iranian business leaders says that the Rouhani administration want them to act swiftly. | Rouhani said Iran wants to become a business hub in the region. Iranian business leaders says that the Rouhani administration want them to act swiftly. |
| “Our authorities insist that the work of our diplomacy and economic apparatus is almost finished so they want our economic sector and private companies to steer the wheel now and benefit from the situation,” Ali Sanginian, CEO at Amin Investment bank, an asset management group, told the Guardian. “We were hurt a lot under sanctions and we were almost standing on the edge but people in Iran want to feel the benefits of sanctions relief in their daily life as soon as possible.” | “Our authorities insist that the work of our diplomacy and economic apparatus is almost finished so they want our economic sector and private companies to steer the wheel now and benefit from the situation,” Ali Sanginian, CEO at Amin Investment bank, an asset management group, told the Guardian. “We were hurt a lot under sanctions and we were almost standing on the edge but people in Iran want to feel the benefits of sanctions relief in their daily life as soon as possible.” |
| 6.31pm BST | |
| 18:31 | |
| Al-Thani says the nuclear agreement with Iran will contribute to security and stability in region and he looks forward to the disarmament of the entire region. Iran is an important neighbouring country and corporation with it is essential. | Al-Thani says the nuclear agreement with Iran will contribute to security and stability in region and he looks forward to the disarmament of the entire region. Iran is an important neighbouring country and corporation with it is essential. |
| 6.30pm BST | |
| 18:30 | |
| Al-Thani says Syria has turned into a war zone and the regime has attempted to scare the international community of the alternative. He says it was right for the international community to provide a fair alternative but asks if there is a tyranny in the world that could acknowledge an alternative? When people suffer from war and genocide, the most detrimental danger is to ignore danger. The failure of the international community to take measures leads to a loss of confidence, he says. | Al-Thani says Syria has turned into a war zone and the regime has attempted to scare the international community of the alternative. He says it was right for the international community to provide a fair alternative but asks if there is a tyranny in the world that could acknowledge an alternative? When people suffer from war and genocide, the most detrimental danger is to ignore danger. The failure of the international community to take measures leads to a loss of confidence, he says. |
| He says we must impose a political solution in Syria that would end the reign of tyranny, repatriate the displaced to their home and allow for the reconstruction of Syria. This is possible if there is a will among certain states. | He says we must impose a political solution in Syria that would end the reign of tyranny, repatriate the displaced to their home and allow for the reconstruction of Syria. This is possible if there is a will among certain states. |
| 6.24pm BST | |
| 18:24 | |
| Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is now addressing the assembly. He says he had hoped progress would have been made concerning bloody conflicts in the world by now. | Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is now addressing the assembly. He says he had hoped progress would have been made concerning bloody conflicts in the world by now. |
| 6.15pm BST | |
| 18:15 | |
| Rouhani says Iraq, Syria and Yemen are examples of crises being stoked through terror. Their problems have persisted because the international community has failed them. The wave of destruction has gone well beyond the Arab world and has reached the gates of Europe and US. The cost, Rouhani says, has been cultural and human destruction. | Rouhani says Iraq, Syria and Yemen are examples of crises being stoked through terror. Their problems have persisted because the international community has failed them. The wave of destruction has gone well beyond the Arab world and has reached the gates of Europe and US. The cost, Rouhani says, has been cultural and human destruction. |
| “If we didn’t have the US military invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq” and its support for Zionist Israel the terrorists would not have an excuse for the justification of their crimes, Rouhani adds. | “If we didn’t have the US military invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq” and its support for Zionist Israel the terrorists would not have an excuse for the justification of their crimes, Rouhani adds. |
| And Rouhani has now finished speaking. | And Rouhani has now finished speaking. |
| 6.08pm BST | |
| 18:08 | |
| Iran’s policy is to continue its peace-seeking efforts in the region, Rouhani says. He says the turmoil gripping the Middle East can spread to other parts of the world. The biggest threat is terrorist organisations becoming terrorist states, he says. | Iran’s policy is to continue its peace-seeking efforts in the region, Rouhani says. He says the turmoil gripping the Middle East can spread to other parts of the world. The biggest threat is terrorist organisations becoming terrorist states, he says. |
| The fight against terrorism should be incorporated into a binding international document. Iran is ready to assist in tackling terrorism and to bring about democracy in Syria and Yemen, via elections rather than arms, he says. | The fight against terrorism should be incorporated into a binding international document. Iran is ready to assist in tackling terrorism and to bring about democracy in Syria and Yemen, via elections rather than arms, he says. |
| I say to all nations and governments we will not forget the past but we don’t wish to live in the past. We will not forget imposed war and sanctions but look to peace and development. | I say to all nations and governments we will not forget the past but we don’t wish to live in the past. We will not forget imposed war and sanctions but look to peace and development. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.09pm BST | |
| 6.04pm BST | |
| 18:04 | |
| Rouhani says other state actors sometimes pursue “maximalist demands”. He says – echoing China’s president Xi Jinping – that win win solutions should govern international affairs. | Rouhani says other state actors sometimes pursue “maximalist demands”. He says – echoing China’s president Xi Jinping – that win win solutions should govern international affairs. |
| The president complains about sanctions imposed on Iran but says, quoting an Iranian proverb, that the “harm has now stopped”. He says that Iran never had the intention of producing a nuclear weapon and says that sanctions were based on an “illusive” premise. | The president complains about sanctions imposed on Iran but says, quoting an Iranian proverb, that the “harm has now stopped”. He says that Iran never had the intention of producing a nuclear weapon and says that sanctions were based on an “illusive” premise. |
| Now, the US has set aside sanctions and returned to negotiations. The agreement signed in July should be implemented by all parties, he says. Nuclear weapons states play a positive role in the creation of a nuclear weapons-free Middle East - and should “not allow the Zionist regime” to remain the only impediment. | Now, the US has set aside sanctions and returned to negotiations. The agreement signed in July should be implemented by all parties, he says. Nuclear weapons states play a positive role in the creation of a nuclear weapons-free Middle East - and should “not allow the Zionist regime” to remain the only impediment. |
| 6.00pm BST | |
| 18:00 | |
| Shaun Walker | Shaun Walker |
| The Guardian’s man in Moscow, Shaun Walker, calls the Russian president’s speech ‘Putin by numbers’, singling out the Kremlin’s desire to set up an anti-terror coalition as a key power-play. | The Guardian’s man in Moscow, Shaun Walker, calls the Russian president’s speech ‘Putin by numbers’, singling out the Kremlin’s desire to set up an anti-terror coalition as a key power-play. |
| No great surprises in Putin’s speech: he hit all the key areas we might have expected, summarising Russia’s dissatisfaction with the current world order and a world run by “those who think they are so strong, they know better than anyone else what to do, and do not need to seek advice from the UN.” Putin did not mention the United States by name, but he did not have to. | No great surprises in Putin’s speech: he hit all the key areas we might have expected, summarising Russia’s dissatisfaction with the current world order and a world run by “those who think they are so strong, they know better than anyone else what to do, and do not need to seek advice from the UN.” Putin did not mention the United States by name, but he did not have to. |
| The key issue at hand, of course, is Syria, and Putin vocalised his plan to set up a “broad anti-terrorist coalition” to fight the Islamic State, comparing it to the Second World War coalition against the Nazis. He blamed western meddling for creating the current mess; the Americans were portrayed as some combination of nefarious puppetmasters and naïve fools. | The key issue at hand, of course, is Syria, and Putin vocalised his plan to set up a “broad anti-terrorist coalition” to fight the Islamic State, comparing it to the Second World War coalition against the Nazis. He blamed western meddling for creating the current mess; the Americans were portrayed as some combination of nefarious puppetmasters and naïve fools. |
| Putin suggested Washington was repeating the mistakes of the Soviet Union by trying to export its own model of development to other countries, and basically blamed the US for the rise of the Islamic State, a development which could come back to haunt them, he said: “The terrorists are not more stupid than you, and it’s still not clear who is using whom to achieve their goals,” said Putin. | Putin suggested Washington was repeating the mistakes of the Soviet Union by trying to export its own model of development to other countries, and basically blamed the US for the rise of the Islamic State, a development which could come back to haunt them, he said: “The terrorists are not more stupid than you, and it’s still not clear who is using whom to achieve their goals,” said Putin. |
| Nothing new on Ukraine: the events of the last year were “an armed coup imposed from outside, which led to civil war”, rather than a popular uprising followed by a Russian military intervention. | Nothing new on Ukraine: the events of the last year were “an armed coup imposed from outside, which led to civil war”, rather than a popular uprising followed by a Russian military intervention. |
| Basically, then, it was Putin by numbers. US hegemony and unilateralism: bad; collective decision making, multipolar world: good. | Basically, then, it was Putin by numbers. US hegemony and unilateralism: bad; collective decision making, multipolar world: good. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.10pm BST | |
| 5.57pm BST | |
| 17:57 | |
| Vladimir Putin's UN speech – key points | Vladimir Putin's UN speech – key points |
| Nadia Khomami | Nadia Khomami |
| On the US: Putin said after the cold war “a single centre of domination emerged in the world”– in other words the United States - which decided it didn’t have to reckon with the UN. He said Russia is ready to work with its partners on the basis of consensus, but attempts to undermine the UN are “extremely dangerous”. He complained about the export of “so-called democratic revolutions” which have led to violence, poverty and social disaster. (See 17.08) | On the US: Putin said after the cold war “a single centre of domination emerged in the world”– in other words the United States - which decided it didn’t have to reckon with the UN. He said Russia is ready to work with its partners on the basis of consensus, but attempts to undermine the UN are “extremely dangerous”. He complained about the export of “so-called democratic revolutions” which have led to violence, poverty and social disaster. (See 17.08) |
| On Syria: Putin said Isis grew in strength after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and is now actively expanding to other regions. He said that Moscow has consistently fought against terrorism in all its forms, and is providing military equipment to the Syrian government. “We should acknowledge that no-one except for Assad and his militia is truly fighting Isis in Syria.” (See 17.16) | On Syria: Putin said Isis grew in strength after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and is now actively expanding to other regions. He said that Moscow has consistently fought against terrorism in all its forms, and is providing military equipment to the Syrian government. “We should acknowledge that no-one except for Assad and his militia is truly fighting Isis in Syria.” (See 17.16) |
| On the refugee crisis: Putin said Russia will shortly convene a ministerial meeting to carry out an analysis of threats in the Middle East. He said there should be coordination between anti-Isis forces, and if this is achieved there would be no need for refugee camps. He said there is now a “great and tragic migration of peoples” - a harsh lesson for all of us, including Europe. (See 17.20) | On the refugee crisis: Putin said Russia will shortly convene a ministerial meeting to carry out an analysis of threats in the Middle East. He said there should be coordination between anti-Isis forces, and if this is achieved there would be no need for refugee camps. He said there is now a “great and tragic migration of peoples” - a harsh lesson for all of us, including Europe. (See 17.20) |
| On Ukraine: Putin complained about the expansion of Nato, and the logic of confrontation which has led to the current crisis in Ukraine. He said there was a “military coup” coordinated from outside in Ukraine which triggered a civil war. He also complained about sanctions against Russia and “growing economic selfishness”. (See 17.25) | On Ukraine: Putin complained about the expansion of Nato, and the logic of confrontation which has led to the current crisis in Ukraine. He said there was a “military coup” coordinated from outside in Ukraine which triggered a civil war. He also complained about sanctions against Russia and “growing economic selfishness”. (See 17.25) |
| 5.55pm BST | |
| 17:55 | |
| Iranian president Hassan Rouhani's UN speech | Iranian president Hassan Rouhani's UN speech |
| The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani takes the stage. He says he’s speaking on behalf of “a great nation” mourning the loss of hundreds of its citizens during the hajj. He says they fell victim “to the incompetence and mismanagement of those in charge”. Even the missing can’t be identified, Rouhani says. | The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani takes the stage. He says he’s speaking on behalf of “a great nation” mourning the loss of hundreds of its citizens during the hajj. He says they fell victim “to the incompetence and mismanagement of those in charge”. Even the missing can’t be identified, Rouhani says. |
| The tragedy has caused enormous pain and distress. The president calls on Saudi officials to enable the identification and return of bodies, and asks for an independent investigation into the disaster. | The tragedy has caused enormous pain and distress. The president calls on Saudi officials to enable the identification and return of bodies, and asks for an independent investigation into the disaster. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.02pm BST | |
| 5.53pm BST | |
| 17:53 | |
| Ukrainian delegation left room before Putin speech | Ukrainian delegation left room before Putin speech |
| Dramatic news: the Ukrainian delegation left the room when Putin got up to speak. | Dramatic news: the Ukrainian delegation left the room when Putin got up to speak. |
| Other Ukrainians who stayed held up a flag taken from the battle of Ilovaisk in August 2014, when regular Russian troops backed by superior weapons wiped out several hundred Ukrainian soldiers inside Ukraine. | Other Ukrainians who stayed held up a flag taken from the battle of Ilovaisk in August 2014, when regular Russian troops backed by superior weapons wiped out several hundred Ukrainian soldiers inside Ukraine. |
| .@poroshenko delegation did storm out of Putin's speech. Meanwhile, Ukrainians held flag from bloody Ilovaisk battle. pic.twitter.com/AHID43mj5d | .@poroshenko delegation did storm out of Putin's speech. Meanwhile, Ukrainians held flag from bloody Ilovaisk battle. pic.twitter.com/AHID43mj5d |
| Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko will address the assembly tomorrow. His press spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko confirmed the walkout. There was more reaction from Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch. He was not impressed: | Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko will address the assembly tomorrow. His press spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko confirmed the walkout. There was more reaction from Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch. He was not impressed: |
| My response to Putin's speech and his effort to promote Assad as the solution. pic.twitter.com/cEPh22ZDV1 | My response to Putin's speech and his effort to promote Assad as the solution. pic.twitter.com/cEPh22ZDV1 |
| 5.46pm BST | |
| 17:46 | |
| Julian Borger | Julian Borger |
| The Guardian’s diplomatic correspondent Julian Borger has filed this analyses of Putin’s speech. | The Guardian’s diplomatic correspondent Julian Borger has filed this analyses of Putin’s speech. |
| That was Putin at his most uncompromising on Syria. He portrayed Isis as a conspiracy, sent into Syria against the secular regime in Damascus. There was no talk about any transition in Damascus, no admission even that the regime might require reform after Isis has been defeated (the line taken by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani). | That was Putin at his most uncompromising on Syria. He portrayed Isis as a conspiracy, sent into Syria against the secular regime in Damascus. There was no talk about any transition in Damascus, no admission even that the regime might require reform after Isis has been defeated (the line taken by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani). |
| Instead, he portrayed the Syrian army as fighting, “valiantly” and alone against terror in Syria. The question now is, beneath the bluster, is there any room at all for convergence behind the scenes when Obama and Putin meet this evening in New York. | Instead, he portrayed the Syrian army as fighting, “valiantly” and alone against terror in Syria. The question now is, beneath the bluster, is there any room at all for convergence behind the scenes when Obama and Putin meet this evening in New York. |
| Updated | |
| at 5.46pm BST | |
| 5.40pm BST | |
| 17:40 | |
| Vladimir Putin's speech - Luke Harding's analysis | Vladimir Putin's speech - Luke Harding's analysis |
| By Vladimir Putin’s standards this was a relatively restrained speech. Unlike in Munich in 2007, when he famously launched an all-out attack on US global hegemony, Putin didn’t even mention America by name. | By Vladimir Putin’s standards this was a relatively restrained speech. Unlike in Munich in 2007, when he famously launched an all-out attack on US global hegemony, Putin didn’t even mention America by name. |
| His key message, as expected, was on Syria. Putin said that Russia was convening an anti-Isis coalition and that the best way of defeating Islamist terrorism was to bolster state structures - in other words to rescue the enfeebled government of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad. | His key message, as expected, was on Syria. Putin said that Russia was convening an anti-Isis coalition and that the best way of defeating Islamist terrorism was to bolster state structures - in other words to rescue the enfeebled government of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad. |
| All eyes will now turn to Putin’s meeting this evening - due at around 10pm GMT - with Obama. In his speech Obama made it clear that a “managed transition” in Syria can only take place if Assad leaves power. Putin today said the opposite: that Assad is the solution rather than the problem. | All eyes will now turn to Putin’s meeting this evening - due at around 10pm GMT - with Obama. In his speech Obama made it clear that a “managed transition” in Syria can only take place if Assad leaves power. Putin today said the opposite: that Assad is the solution rather than the problem. |
| There were no surprises on Ukraine. Putin stuck to the narrative that he’s repeated since the dramatic events in Kiev in spring of 2014. According to Russia’s president a ‘military coup’ from outside - in other words engineered by America and the CIA - provoked a “civil war” in the country. | There were no surprises on Ukraine. Putin stuck to the narrative that he’s repeated since the dramatic events in Kiev in spring of 2014. According to Russia’s president a ‘military coup’ from outside - in other words engineered by America and the CIA - provoked a “civil war” in the country. |
| No mention, of course, of Russia undercover military take-over of Crimea. Or the shipment of weapons by Moscow to pro-Russian rebels fighting in the east of the country. Russian state TV is already discussing Putin’s speech in ecstatic terms. | No mention, of course, of Russia undercover military take-over of Crimea. Or the shipment of weapons by Moscow to pro-Russian rebels fighting in the east of the country. Russian state TV is already discussing Putin’s speech in ecstatic terms. |
| The question for Obama is this: does he accept Putin’s offer of cooperation over Syria? If the answer is no, what’s the White House’s alternative policy? | The question for Obama is this: does he accept Putin’s offer of cooperation over Syria? If the answer is no, what’s the White House’s alternative policy? |
| 5.38pm BST | |
| 17:38 | |
| Park traces the rise of South Korea, which was on its knees after its civil war with the North in the 1950s, to one of the world’s 10 biggest economies today. She says the UN can help lead to a “second and third miracle around the world”, and says education should be the key development goal to drag up living standards around the world. | Park traces the rise of South Korea, which was on its knees after its civil war with the North in the 1950s, to one of the world’s 10 biggest economies today. She says the UN can help lead to a “second and third miracle around the world”, and says education should be the key development goal to drag up living standards around the world. |
| She says Korea has pledged $100m over 5 years to help global health emergencies, and says it was one of the first countries to send help to Sierra Leone after its ebola crisis last year. | She says Korea has pledged $100m over 5 years to help global health emergencies, and says it was one of the first countries to send help to Sierra Leone after its ebola crisis last year. |
| 5.31pm BST | |
| 17:31 | |
| Park Geun-hye, the first female president of the Republic of Korea, is now speaking. She says the UN has stood by her country since its formation more than 50 years ago and shares its vision for humanity. | Park Geun-hye, the first female president of the Republic of Korea, is now speaking. She says the UN has stood by her country since its formation more than 50 years ago and shares its vision for humanity. |
| She calls the growth of Isis “a global concern that needs to be addressed”, and references how the photograph of Alan Kurdi moved the world to taking action on the refugee crisis. Then she moves on to climate change - she’s really rattling through the issues. | She calls the growth of Isis “a global concern that needs to be addressed”, and references how the photograph of Alan Kurdi moved the world to taking action on the refugee crisis. Then she moves on to climate change - she’s really rattling through the issues. |