NATO is “stronger than ever”, he had warned in the preamble. While Russian Head of State Vladimir Putin finished his annual speech to his country’s political elite just a few hours ago, US President Joe Biden also took the floor on Tuesday to recall Western support for favor of Kiev, a few days before the anniversary of the start of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. The opportunity, too, for the Democratic Head of State, to tackle the Russian dictator once again and to boast of NATO’s unity in the face of the invader, from the gardens of the Royal Castle in Warsaw.
Continued Western support for Ukraine
He says it again and again: Western forces’ support for Ukraine will remain the same no matter what. “Putin still doubts our conviction, our ability to hold on, NATO’s ability to remain united,” said Joe Biden. But “our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided and we will not give up”.
“We will continue to support Ukraine as it defends itself,” the president later assured, adding that only “four countries” members of the United Nations (out of 193 member states) supported the invasion Russian. New sanctions against Moscow will also be announced this week by the United States and its partners, said Joe Biden.
A denial of Russian propaganda
While President Putin has widely castigated a corrupt West threatening Russia, Joe Biden wanted to correct the Kremlin’s shot and propaganda. “I am addressing the Russian people: the United Nations and the nations of Europe are not seeking to destroy Russia, NATO was not preparing an attack against Russia. (…) This war was never a necessity, it is a tragedy. (…) Putin chose this war. He can end it with a word. »
“The West is not plotting to attack Russia, as Putin said today. Millions of Russian citizens who only want to live in peace with their neighbors are not the enemy,” Biden also said.
The challenge: defend democracy and freedom, according to Biden
“President Putin is faced with a fact he thought impossible: that the world of democracy is getting stronger, not weaker,” thundered US President Joe Biden. For him, this year of lasting conflict, and the resistance of the Ukrainian forces, are proof that democracy, in the face of the Russian invader, was “too strong”.
The challenge is not only to defend Ukraine against the invader. It is, according to Biden, to support the “sovereignty” of a country, and to test the democracies of the world. “We responded, we were strong, we were united, and the world did not close its eyes” in the face of the drama hitting Ukraine, hammered the president. “kyiv is strong, kyiv is proud, it stands up and above all is free. »
Putin, a weakened “dictator”
In the same speech, the American president strongly attacked his Russian counterpart, advocating firmness in the face of a Vladimir Putin seen as a “dictator”. “The appetites of autocrats cannot be appeased, they need to be stopped. (…) They only understand one word: no, no, no, and no”, repeated the Democratic head of state. “A dictator determined to rebuild an empire will never diminish a people’s love for freedom, brutality will never crush the will of those who want to remain free, and Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. , Never. »
Poland’s role hailed
At the same time, the American president visiting Warsaw warmly welcomed Poland’s involvement in the care of Ukrainian refugees. “Poland hosts 1.5 million refugees,” he recalled, honoring the “extraordinary generosity” of the local government. “We stand with the millions of refugees from this war,” promised Joe Biden.
Support for Moldova
At the same time, the American president wanted to show his support for Moldova, which recently denounced Russian coup attempts to destabilize its presidency. “I am proud to support the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and in favor of the freedom of the Moldovan people”, slipped the president at the start of his speech.