"Post-War Period Is Over" — Biden Tasks U.S. Ambassadors To Advance Human Rights 'So That We Can Live In Freedom'

Washington D.C./14.06.23/Turan:   U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday hosted a White House reception for American ambassadors and consuls generals, who are currently gathered in Washington for their annual Chiefs of Mission conference, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"It’s an important opportunity for us to come together and discuss our continued work," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Speaking before ambassadors, Biden said what America does today, and how well it does its job, is "going to determine what the next four or five generations are going to look like."

"The post-war period is over.  We're building a whole new international system in effect, in terms of relationships with one another," Biden added.

Speaking about "the greatest challenges of our time," Biden said he has been "standing against" the brutal war that Putin is waging against the people of Ukraine.

The U.S, has been helping Ukrainians defend themselves. "Because if we didn't, imagine what happens. Think about it.  Not a joke," Biden told the ambassadors.

He went on to add, "If I told any of you -- and I would have been mildly prophetic if I had said it -- before we were elected, when we were running, that there would be 138- to 140,000 people in Europe invading another country, I think you would have looked at me like I was crazy."

Among other challenges, Biden listed managing the competition with China "so that it doesn't turn into conflict"; addressing the existential threat of climate change; and investing in global health to ensure we're better prepared for the next pandemic, for there will be another pandemic. "There will be another pandemic," he added.

Biden also spoke about democracy, tasking his ambassadors to advance human rights "so that we can live in freedom." 

Alex Raufoglu