While addressing a crowd in Poland on Tuesday ahead of the Russia-Ukraine war’s first anniversary, US President Joe Biden declared that “Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia,” further claiming that Washington and its allies’ “support for Ukraine will not waver.”
“NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire,” Biden asserted, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assumption that the military alliance “would fracture and divide.”
When Putin rolled tanks into Ukraine, he thought the world would roll over.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 21, 2023
But he was wrong: The Ukrainian people were too brave. America and our Allies were too unified.
Democracy was too strong. pic.twitter.com/3RQPXFN1Xb
“One year after the bombs began to fall and Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, Ukraine is still independent and free,” he remarked, stating, “Kyiv stands strong!”
Biden further noted that the Ukrainian forces had managed to reclaim over 50% of the territory held by Russia, from Kherson to Kharkiv.
Biden Slams Putin
During his address, Biden referred to Putin as a “dictator bent on rebuilding an empire.” He further asserted that the Russian president “thought autocrats like himself were tough and leaders of democracies were soft,” but the past year showed that democracies worldwide had become stronger, while autocrats became weaker.
Biden went on to accuse Putin of trying to weaponise energy to “crack Europe’s resolve,” but said that he had failed to do so, as the world is working “together to end Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.”
Furthermore, the US president stated that Russia had exacerbated the global food crisis by blocking Ukraine from exporting its grain from the Black Sea ports.
“Autocrats only understand one word: no, no. no. No you will not take my country, no you will not take my freedom, no you will not take my future. Brutality will never grind down the will of the free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia, never."https://t.co/iE9UCCQOIh
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) February 22, 2023
In this regard, Biden noted that the G7 and its partners have made “historic commitments” to mitigate the crisis.
Russia to be Held Accountable
The US President mentioned the various “extraordinary” atrocities committed by the Russian forces in Ukraine, including targeting civilians, kidnapping children, using sexual violence as a war weapon, and bombing hospitals and train stations, among other things.
In this respect, Biden provided assurances that “Russia is paying the price for its abuses” by citing the “largest sanctions regime ever imposed on any country in history,” and promising additional sanctions later this week.
He vowed to “hold accountable those who are responsible” for the Ukraine war, asserting, “We will seek justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity continuing to be committed by the Russians.”
Not Seeking to Destroy Russia
In response to Putin’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, wherein he accused the West of having “unleashed the war,” Biden stated, “The United States and the nations of Europe do not seek to control or destroy Russia,” adding that the “West was not plotting to attack Russia.”
“This war was never a necessity; it’s a tragedy,” he opined, claiming that “Putin chose this war” and that the Russian president “could end the war with a word.”
He further clarified that the US had assembled a 50-state global coalition to get critical weapons to the Ukrainian forces to make sure that “Ukraine can defend itself.”
The United States has assembled a worldwide coalition of more than 50 nations to get critical weapons and supplies to Ukrainians on the front lines.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 21, 2023
The U.S. will continue to have Ukraine’s back as it defends itself.
However, Biden noted that “hard and very bitter days, victories and tragedies” are inevitable as the war continues.
US to Host NATO Summit in 2024
Biden revealed that the US will host the NATO summit next year to mark its 75th anniversary, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to NATO’s Article 5, which says — an attack against one is an attack against all.
“It’s a sacred oath. A sacred oath to defend every inch of NATO territory,” he affirmed.