Joe Biden’s February 21 speech in Poland: highlights. Screenshot: YouTube
On February 21, 2023 U.S. President Joe Biden visited Poland’s capital Warsaw. There, he gave a speech marking one year of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. The Page made a summary of the speech.
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Kyiv stands, Ukraine will win
"One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I've just come from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report, Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most important, it stands free," Biden claimed.
Biden recalled the start of the full-scale Russian invasion and said that Putin’s expectations didn’t come true: Kyiv had held out, Ukraine’s allies showed their resolve, and Sweden and Finland approached NATO accession.
Nearly a year after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, it is still free and independent. From Kherson to Kharkiv, Ukrainian fighters have been retaking their territories.
"President Putin’s crave and lust for land and power will fail," he added.
The American president affirmed that despite Putin’s lust for new territories, the Ukrainians’ love for their country would prevail. Freedom is at stake today. Biden stated that Ukraine would never be a victim for Russia.
Support for Ukraine is unwavering
The U.S. president said that Putin thought democracy was weak but instead was met with the iron will of free nations. He found himself at war with a courageous man, President Zelenskyy.
"One year into this war, Putin still doubts our continuous support for Ukraine, he doubts that NATO can remain unified. But there should be no doubt: our support for Ukraine will not waver," said Biden.
He added that the people of Ukraine were courageous and unyielding, and democracy was too strong. Putin thought he could destroy NATO, but NATO has grown stronger than ever. Putin thought he could weaponize natural gas, but the nations fended their dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
The U.S. president said that the freedom of future generations was at stake and that Putin would never win and Ukraine’s allies wouldn’t tire of helping it.
"Our support for Ukraine will not waver, Nato will not be divided, Putin’s lust for power will fail. Ukrainian people will prevail. Democracies of the world will stand guard for our freedom," he summarized.
Each day of the war is a choice
According to Biden, Putin chose this war. Each new day of the war is his choice. If Russia stopped invading Ukraine, the war would end immediately. If the Ukrainians stopped defending themselves from Russia, it would be the end of Ukraine. That’s why Ukraine’s allies must ensure it can defend itself together, and that’s why the coalition supplies it with artillery, tanks, and air defense systems.
The U.S. president added that Ukraine should be made able to defend not only itself, but the European Union. This includes not only military assistance but financial and humanitarian aid as well.
The West is not going to attack Russia
"The United States and the nations of Europe do not seek to destroy or control Russia. The West was not planning to attack Russia, as Putin said today. And millions of Russian citizens only want to live in peace with their neighbors. This war was never a necessity. It’s a tragedy," said Biden.
Biden emphasized that the West is not going to attack the Russian people.
Biden announced new sanctions against Russia
In his speech, Biden stressed that Russian soldiers were committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Russian mercenaries targeted civilians deliberately, raped, stole children, and bombed schools, maternity hospitals, and orphanages.
The U.S. president added that Russia had to pay the price for this war.
"We’re going to announce more sanctions this week together with our partners. We’ll hold accountable those who are responsible for this war," he said.
Poland’s generosity is extraordinary
The U.S. president thanked Poland for hosting 1.5 Ukrainian refugees and emphasized that the generosity of the Poles was extraordinary.