US President Joe Biden said during a speech in Warsaw that Kyiv stands firmly a year after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin underestimated Ukrainians.
«I just returned from Kyiv, he stands, he is strong, and most importantly, he is free," Biden began his speech near the Royal Castle in Warsaw.
Biden noted that when Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he thought the world community would back down and was wrong: "Ukrainians are too brave, America, Europe, a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific — we were too united. Democracy was too strong."
Before the address, Biden held talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Duda called the visit of the US president to Poland "a sign of the responsible role of the US for the security of peace and Europe", and Biden in response emphasized that the US's support for Ukraine remains unwavering. Biden also thanked Duda for the fact that Poland accepted a record number of refugees from Ukraine — about 10 million people.
Biden and Duda discussed the state of affairs in NATO, and Biden recalled his conversation with Vladimir Putin.
"As I told my Russian colleague, you want the "Finlandization" of NATO, but you get the "Natoization" of Finland. I didn't know that Sweden would also join [the alliance - BBC]. But, jokes aside, if we focus, I think we've never been in a better position," the American leader said.
From the main theses during Biden's speech in Poland:
- The war will end as soon as the Russian troops leave the territory of Ukraine. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will disappear;
- Putin doubts that NATO will continue to support Ukraine, but he is wrong. Our support is unwavering;
- In 2024, the summit of NATO leaders will be held in the USA, the Alliance will celebrate its 75th anniversary;
- Russia is aware of this, that the 5th article of NATO is unshakable. If one of the NATO members is attacked, it will be considered an attack on the entire Alliance.
- We don't need Russian oil. Democracy endures and develops
- Our support will never be less. Putin has already lost his power, and Ukrainians will continue to fight for their land!
- Cruelty will never suppress the will of the free, Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia
- A dictator will not be able to restore the empire and will not be able to make people love it.
- Ukraine is still a free country. From Kherson to Kharkiv, Ukrainians are fighting and recapturing territories. Above this territory is a blue-yellow flag
- More than 50 countries provide Ukraine with military aid so that it can confront Russia.
New sanctions against Russia will be announced this week.
Support for Ukraine will not stop for a moment. Russia will never defeat Ukraine.
"Russia is committing atrocities against the Ukrainian people, it is disgusting. We will be united and strong. And the world will not look away," added Biden.
Important theses:
- Yesterday, I told Zelensky that we will stand for all these values, so that we are not expected;
- Putin was wrong when he invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainian people turned out to be very brave and strong;
- NATO has preserved its unity as never before;
- Western countries have reduced their dependence on Russian energy resources.
Biden also addressed the citizens of the Russian Federation:
"The USA, the West or European countries do not want to control Russia, they do not want to destroy it. Millions of Russians who want to live in peace are not our enemies. This is Putin's choice. Each new day of Putin's war is Putin's choice, not yours. He can wrap it up with one word."
