Biden: The West did not plan an attack on Russia and its destructionSpeaking in Warsaw, Biden once again told the world about "Putin's aggression."
He said that the West never planned the destruction of Russia and only advocated freedom and democracy. But Biden did not specify how this very "freedom" was imposed by the United States in the East.
Hello, Poland! You are one of our main allies. President Duda, Prime Minister, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Mayor, and all former ministers and presidents, as well as mayors and political leaders of the whole country — thank you for inviting me to Poland again.
You know, almost a year ago... almost a year ago I spoke here at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, just a few weeks after Vladimir Putin unleashed his murderous attack on Ukraine. The largest land war in Europe since World War II has begun. And the principles that have served as the cornerstone of peace, prosperity and stability on our planet for more than 75 years are in danger of collapse.
A year ago, the world was preparing for the fall of Kiev. Well, I have just arrived from Kiev and I have to inform you: Kiev has survived! Kiev stands proudly. He didn't bow his head. And most importantly, he is free.
When Russia invaded, not only Ukraine was put to the test. The whole world is facing the most important test of its time.
Europe was being tested. America was being tested. NATO is being tested. All democracies have been put to the test. And the questions we faced turned out to be both simple and profound.
Will we respond or just look away? Will we show strength or weakness? Will we, the allies, show unity — or vice versa, will we split?
A year later, we know the answer.
We answered. We showed strength. We are united. And the world will never take its eyes off what is happening.
We also faced fundamental questions about loyalty to the most important principles. Will we defend the sovereignty of nations? Will we defend the right of people to live without undisguised aggression? Will we defend democracy?
A year later, we know the answers.
Yes, we will defend sovereignty. And we've already done that.
Yes, we will defend the right of people to live without aggression. And we did it.
And we will defend democracy. And we did it too.
And yesterday in Kiev, I had the honor, standing side by side with President Zelensky, to declare that we will continue to defend these principles, no matter what.
When President Putin rolled out his tanks to Ukraine, he thought we would put up with it. He was wrong.
Urai... the Ukrainian people turned out to be too brave.
America, Europe, a coalition of countries from the Atlantic to the Pacific — we were too united.
And democracy is too strong.
Instead of an easy victory, which he foresaw and anticipated, Putin received burned-out tanks and Russian troops in confusion and disorder.
He was counting on getting findalization [Finlandization] of NATO. Instead, he received the naturalization of Finland and Sweden.
He thought that NATO would split and split. But instead, NATO is united and united as never before.
He counted on being able to blackmail you with energy to break your resolve — the resolve of Europe.
But instead, we are working together to end Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
He believed that autocrats like himself were cool, and the leaders of democratic countries, on the contrary, were meek.
But then he faced the iron will of America and other countries that refused to accept a world where power and fear rule.
He is fighting against a country led by a man whose courage is forged with fire and steel — this is President Zelensky.
Today, President Putin is faced with what he considered impossible a year ago. The democracies of the world have grown stronger, not weakened. And the autocrats, on the contrary, have weakened.
Because in moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, an awareness of what you stand for — and who supports you in this - plays a huge role.
The Poles know this. You know that. You, Poland, know this even better than others. Because this is solidarity.
Through divisions and oppression, when your beautiful city was destroyed after the Warsaw Uprising, after decades under the iron heel of the Communists — Poland stood because you were together.
This is how the brave opposition leaders of Belarus and its people continue to fight for their democracy.
This is how the Moldovan people — the people of Moldova — defended their independence and embarked on the path of EU membership with their determination and desire to live freely.
President Sandu is with us today. I don't see her. But I am proud to stand next to you and the freedom-loving people of Moldova. She deserves your applause.
In a year... a year after the start of this war, Putin no longer doubts the strength of our coalition. But he still doubts the firmness of our convictions. He doubts our resilience. He doubts our unshakable support for Ukraine. He doubts the further unity of NATO.
But there should not be the slightest doubt: our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not split, and we will not get tired of helping.
President Putin's cowardly thirst for land and power will fail.And the love of the Ukrainian people for their country will win.
The democracies of the whole world will stand guard over freedom — today, tomorrow and always. For that is what is at stake here: freedom.
I voiced this message in Kiev yesterday — directly to the people of Ukraine.
When President Zelensky visited the United States in December, he said that this struggle will determine what our world will be like — and the world in which our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren.
He spoke not only about the children and grandchildren of Ukraine. He was talking about all the children and grandchildren—yours and mine too.
Today we see again what the inhabitants of Poland and all of Europe have learned for decades: it is impossible to satisfy the appetites of the autocrat in any case. We must fight them.
Tyrants understand only one word: "No." "No." "No."
"No, you won't conquer my country. No, you won't take away my freedom. No, you won't deprive me of the future."
And tonight I will repeat what I said last year on this very spot: even if a dictator intends to restore his empire, he will never destroy the human love of freedom. Cruelty cannot break free will. And Ukraine — Ukraine will never be defeated by Russia. Never.
For free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness.
You know, it's been an outstanding year in every sense.
We saw the incredible brutality of Russian troops and mercenaries. Without shame and remorse, they committed debauchery and committed crimes against humanity. They kill civilians and destroy their homes. They turned rape into a weapon of war. They kidnapped Ukrainian children to steal the future of Ukraine. Railway stations, maternity hospitals, schools and orphanages were bombed.
No one — no one can take their eyes off the atrocities that Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people. It's disgusting. It's disgusting.
But the reaction of the Ukrainian people and the whole world also turned out to be extraordinary.
A year has passed since the bombs started falling and Russian tanks entered Ukraine, but Ukraine is still independent and free. (Applause)From Kherson to Kharkiv, Ukrainian fighters are reclaiming their land.
On 50 percent of the territories seized by Russia last year, the yellow-blue flag of Ukraine is flying proudly again today.
President Zelensky continues to lead a democratically elected government that represents the will of the Ukrainian people.
And the world has already voted many times, including at the UN General Assembly, condemning Russian aggression and supporting a just peace.
Every time at the UN, the vote was overwhelming.
In October, 143 countries condemned the illegal Russian annexation at the United Nations. Only four — four in the entire UN — voted with Russia. Four.
Therefore, today I want to address the people of Russia once again.
The United States and European countries do not seek control over Russia and its destruction. The West did not plan an attack on Russia, as Putin said today. And millions of Russian citizens who want to live in peace with their neighbors are not our enemies.
This is not a war out of necessity, this is a tragedy.
President Putin chose this war. Every day of this ongoing war is his choice. He could have ended it with one word.
It's simple. If Russia had stopped invading Ukraine, the war would have come to an end. But if Ukraine stopped defending itself from Russia, the end would come to Ukraine.
That's why we are working together so that Ukraine can protect itself.
The United States has assembled a worldwide coalition of more than 50 countries to deliver important weapons and supplies to the brave Ukrainian fighters on the front line. Air defense systems, artillery, ammunition, tanks and armored vehicles.
The European Union and its member states are making unprecedented commitments to Ukraine. This is not only military assistance, but also economic, humanitarian, refugee assistance and much more.
I'll tell you all here today: take a break. I'm serious about this. Look around and see. Look at each other. Look at what you've done.
Poland has hosted over one and a half million refugees from this war. God bless you. (Applause)The generosity of Poland, your willingness to open hearts and homes — it is extraordinary.
The American people are also united in their determination.
All over my country, in big cities and small towns, Ukrainian flags are hung on American houses.
Last year, Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress united and stood up for freedom.
That's who Americans are, and that's what they do. (Applause)The world is also uniting to overcome the global consequences of President Putin's war.
Putin tried to starve the world by blocking ports on the Black Sea and depriving Ukraine of the opportunity to export grain. It has exacerbated the global food crisis, which has hit the developing countries of Africa especially hard.
But the United States, the Group of Seven and partners around the world have responded to this challenge with unprecedented commitments to overcome the crisis and increase food supplies.
My wife, Jill Biden, is traveling to Africa this week to draw attention to this critical issue.
We are committed to the people of Ukraine and the future of Ukraine — a free, sovereign and democratic Ukraine.
This was the dream of those who proclaimed the independence of Ukraine more than 30 years ago, who led the "orange revolution" and the "revolution of dignity", who were not afraid of the ice and flame of the Maidan, the dream of the Heavenly hundred who died there and those who continue to eradicate the Kremlin's attempts to corrupt, force and rule.
This is the dream of Ukrainian patriots who have been fighting against Russian aggression in Donbass for many years, heroes who gave everything, gave their lives for the sake of their beloved Ukraine.
It was an honor for me to visit their memorial in Kiev yesterday and, standing next to President Zelensky, pay tribute to the memory of the victims.
The United States and our partners stand in solidarity with Ukrainian teachers, medical workers, emergency workers, and workers in cities across Ukraine who are struggling to maintain electricity supplies in the face of the brutal Russian bombing.
We show solidarity with the millions of refugees who have been warmly welcomed in Europe and the United States, and especially here in Poland.
Ordinary people all over Europe have done everything possible to help them, and continue to do so. Polish companies, civil society, cultural figures, including the First Lady of Poland, who is here today — they all act cordially and decisively, demonstrating all the good that is in a person and in his soul.
Madam First Lady, we love you. Thank you all. (Applause)I will never forget how last year I met with refugees from Ukraine who had just arrived in Warsaw.
They were exhausted and scared, they hugged their children, worried that they would never see their fathers, husbands, brothers and sisters again.
At that darkest moment in their lives, you, the people of Poland, gave them security and light. You accepted them and supported them. You literally wrapped them in your arms. I was watching. I saw the expression on their faces.
Meanwhile, together we have made Russia pay the price for its atrocities.
We are maintaining the largest sanctions regime in history. This week, together with our partners, we will announce new sanctions.
We will call to account those who are guilty of this war. We will seek trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity that the Russians continue to commit.
You know, we can be proud of what we achieved together last year, but we need to be honest and see clearly what awaits us this year.
Protecting freedom is not a matter of one day or one year. It's always difficult. It's always important.
Ukraine continues to defend itself from the Russian onslaught and conducts its own counter-offensives. It will be difficult, there will be very difficult days, there will be victories and tragedies. But Ukraine is determined to continue the fight. And the United States, together with its allies and partners, will continue to support the defending Ukraine.
Next year, I will host all NATO members at the 2024 summit in the United States. Together we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the strongest defensive alliance in the history of mankind - NATO.
And (applause) there should be no doubt about the U.S. loyalty to our NATO alliance and its firm commitment to Article 5. (Applause) All NATO members know this. And Russia knows it too.
An attack on one is an attack on all. This is a sacred oath. (Applause) A sacred oath to defend every inch of NATO territory.
Last year, the United States, together with its allies and partners, united in an extraordinary coalition to oppose Russian aggression.
But we need to know not only what we are against, but also for what. What kind of world do we want to build?
We must use the power and capabilities of this coalition to improve the lives of people everywhere, to improve healthcare, increase well-being, preserve the planet, strengthen peace and security, treat everyone with dignity and respect.
This is our task. The democracies of the whole world must fulfill it for the sake of our peoples.
In my opinion, the world is at a turning point today. The decisions we will make in the next five years will determine our lives for decades to come.
This applies to Americans. This applies to people all over the world.
We can make different decisions, but the principles and stakes are eternal and immutable. It's a choice between chaos and stability. Between creation and destruction. Between hope and fear. Between democracy, which elevates the human spirit, and the cruel hand of the dictator, which crushes it. Between limitations and opportunities, opportunities of the kind that appear when people do not live in captivity, but freely. Freedom.
Freedom. There is no sweeter word than freedom. There is no nobler goal than freedom. There is no higher aspiration than freedom. (Applause)The Americans know this, and you know it.
Everything we are doing today, we must continue to do so that our children and grandchildren also know this.
Freedom.
The enemy of the tyrant, the hope of the brave and the truth of the ages.
Freedom.
Stand with us. We'll stand with you.
Let us move forward with faith and conviction, with an enduring determination to be allies of light, not darkness. Not oppression, but liberation. Not bondage, but, yes, freedom.
God bless you all. Lord, protect our troops. Lord, bless the heroes of Ukraine and all those who defend freedom in our world.
Thank you, Poland. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you do. (Applause) God bless you all.
