NEW YORK (AA) – US President Joe Biden met Wednesday with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss several issues including the Ukraine war and the Black Sea grain deal.

“The leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and the United Nations,” the White House said in a statement about the meeting at UN headquarters during the General Assembly in New York.

“They discussed pressing issues facing the UN, including Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine – a clear threat to the core tenets of the UN Charter – and its impact on the broader international community,” it said.

Biden thanked Guterres for his role in establishing the Black Sea Grain Initiative that was brokered by Türkiye in July.

“They also reaffirmed the continued need for global action to address the global climate and food security crises,” according to the statement.