President Biden today stood before the world's top leaders, urging them to embrace what he called an inflection point in our globe's history.

In his third speech as president to the U.N. General Assembly in Manhattan, Biden outlined his vision for tackling global challenges like climate change and public health crises.

Using the annual speech to forcefully call on allies to preserve peace, prevent conflict, and stand up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

That war now in its second year, casting a shadow over the event.

He rallied leaders to stand firm against Putin's aggression, drawing applause for saying Russia alone is responsible for the bloody conflict.

And Russia alone has the power to immediately end the war.

The president touted efforts to connect India and Europe strength developing nations, infrastructure and responsibly manage conflict with China.

Our history need not dictate our future with the concerted leadership and careful effort.

Adversaries can become partners overwhelming challenges can be resolved and deep wounds can heal.

We know our future is bound to yours.

And no nation can meet the challenges of today alone.

The speech coming at a time of high political stakes, too, with the 2024 presidential election in Biden's sights.

For more, I'm joined by Alan Sanders, professor emeritus of political science at Saint Peter's University.

Professor Alan Sanders, we heard President Biden hit on these tenets of democracy, talking about sovereignty, human rights.

Is this what we expected to hear from President Biden, given all of the conflicts going on in the globe right now?

Well, he didn't passing mention some of the other crises like climate change, but certainly democracy was a theme of his speech, in part because he sees that as a global danger, but also because he sees that as a danger here in the United States.

This campaign is based in large measure on preserving democracy and protecting democracy.

So it felt both a need or filled, both a need for domestic politics as well as international politics.

Yeah, there was quite a bit of climate crisis as a thread throughout in his hitting on issues with China, also artificial intelligence and how nations need to work together there.

What we heard less of, I think, than what most of us expected was talk on the war in Ukraine and Russia.

Of course, Vladimir Putin notably not there.

Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky was in the hall.

Let's just hear a quick soundbite of what the president had to say on that.

Russia that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.

But I ask you this.

If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?

So, Professor Sanders, does the president's message align with what Ukrainian leaders were hoping to here?

I think it aligns quite well with what they were hoping to hear.

What was also significant is that his remarks on Ukraine and protecting Ukraine's sovereignty and standing with Ukraine was the only part of his speech that drew applause from the General Assembly audience.

And the fact that people like Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi of China are not there provide an opportunity for the president to speak unimpeded and to try and convince leaders of the U.S. position.

Remember, the speech is just sort of a formality.

What's also important are the meetings that occur in and around the actual General Assembly session.

I thought it was interesting very quickly that he began with talking about our relationship in Vietnam and did the speech with Ukraine.

What, if anything, hit you?

Where do you think the president sort of hit his stride here?

Well, I think he's hit his stride throughout the speech.

Certainly what you mentioned were important items in his speech to US engagement of U.S. forceful and U.S. willingness to adapt to changes in the world environment.

What was important for the president, both globally and for the domestic audience, was to show that he is focused and he is engaged.

He faces a lot of pushback, as you know, on his age and his ability to command the stage because of his age.

Well, he was very intent on showing that he is focused, he is determined.

And he knows full well all the details of foreign global policy and by implication, also all the details of national policy.

Alan Sanders is a professor emeritus at Saint Peter's University.

Thanks so much.

My pleasure, Briana.