US President Joe Biden has appealed to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly to stand with Ukraine against Russian invaders, hoping Republicans in Congress will also take notice.

“Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence,” Biden said in his speech to UNGA.

“If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?”

Biden drew applause when saying that the United States and its allies would stand with Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

“Russia alone bears responsibility for this war,” the president said.

“Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately.”

Biden’s address at the annual gathering was the centrepiece event of his three-day visit to New York, which will include meetings with the heads of five central Asian countries as well as the leaders of Israel and Brazil.

Biden has faced criticism from some Republicans who want the United States to spend less money on the war effort.

Former US president Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has vowed to seek a quick end to the war if returned to power.

Trump has voiced skepticism about the US engagement with traditional allies, including NATO, and has been complimentary of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Republican House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy has questioned whether the United States should keep sending billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine.

In his speech, Biden said Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and occupation of territory violated the founding UN Charter, a main principle of which is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

His remarks echoed those of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who in his opening speech to UNGA on Tuesday said Russia’s invasion “has unleashed a nexus of horror”.

A US administration official said Biden would also focus at the UN meetings on mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development and fighting climate change.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended and applauded Biden’s remarks ahead of his own speech at UNGA on Tuesday, was expected to visit Biden at the White House on Thursday and to meet some congressional leaders as well.

The United States is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine to coincide with Zelensky’s visit, and Congress has been asked to approve billions of dollars more in security assistance for the rest of the year.

“We have confidence that there will be bipartisan support for this. I think President Zelensky does as well,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

After his speech, Biden was due to sit down with Guterres to discuss world hot spots.