Six days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to shake the foundations of the free world, thinking it could lead him astray. But he miscalculated. He thought he could enter Ukraine and the world would turn upside down.
Instead, he encountered a wall of power he had never imagined. He met with the Ukrainian people. From President Zelensky to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination inspire the world. Groups of citizens blocking tanks with their bodies. Everyone from students to retired teachers have become soldiers defending their homeland.
In this struggle, as President Zelenski said in a speech to the European Parliament, “Light will overcome darkness.” Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States is here tonight.
Let each of us here tonight in this Chamber send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world. Please stand up if you are able and show that yes, we, the United States, are with the Ukrainian people.
President Biden uses his state of the union to send a message to Vladimir Putin, praising the courage of the Ukrainian people and trying to boost his stalled agenda
Throughout our history, we have learned this lesson that when dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And the costs and threats to America and the world continue to rise. That is why the NATO Alliance was created to ensure peace and stability in post-World War II Europe. The United States is a member along with 29 other states. It matters. American diplomacy matters. The Americans are solving the issues.
Putin’s latest attack on Ukraine was deliberate and unprovoked. He rejected repeated efforts in diplomacy. He believed that the West and NATO would not respond. And he thought he could separate us at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready.
Here’s what we did. We prepared thoroughly and carefully. We spent months building a coalition of other freedom-loving nations from Europe and America to Asia and Africa to stand up to Putin. I have spent countless hours uniting our European allies. We have previously shared with the world what Putin is planning and how exactly he will try to falsely justify his aggression.
We opposed Russia’s lies with truth. And now that he has acted, the free world holds him accountable. Along with twenty-seven members of the European Union, including France, Germany, Italy, as well as countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and many others, even Switzerland.
We are hurting Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine. Now Putin is isolated from the world more than ever. Together with our allies, we are currently imposing strong economic sanctions. We are cutting off Russia’s largest banks from the international financial system. Preventing Russia’s central bank from protecting the Russian ruble, making Putin’s $ 630 billion “military fund” useless. We are stifling Russia’s access to technologies that will undermine its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come.
Tonight, I speak to Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have no longer extracted billions of dollars from this violent regime. The US Department of Justice is assembling a special working group to monitor the crimes of Russian oligarchs. We are joining our European allies to find and confiscate your yachts, luxury apartments, your private jets. We come for your malicious profits.
And tonight I announce that we will join our allies in closing US airspace to all Russian flights – further isolating Russia – and adding extra pressure to their economy. The rolls have lost 30% of their value. The Russian stock market lost 40% of its value and trading remained stalled. Russia’s economy is faltering and only Putin is to blame.
Together with our allies, we support the Ukrainians in their struggle for freedom. Military aid. Economic aid. Humanitarian aid. We provide more than $ 1 billion in direct aid to Ukraine. And we will continue to help the Ukrainian people while defending their country, and to help alleviate their suffering.
Biden doubles by NOT SENDING AMERICAN FORCES
Let me be clear, our forces are not engaged and will not come into conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine. Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to protect our NATO allies – in case Putin decides to continue moving west. To this end, we have mobilized US ground forces, air squadrons and the deployment of ships to protect NATO countries, including Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. As I said crystal clear, the United States and our allies will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of our collective force. And we are left with clear eyes.
Ukrainians respond with pure courage. But the next few days weeks, months will be hard for them. Putin unleashed violence and chaos. But although it can make profits on the battlefield, it will pay a long, high price in the long run.
And a proud Ukrainian people who have known independence for 30 years has repeatedly shown that they will not tolerate anyone who tries to bring their country back.
For all Americans, I will be honest with you, as I always promised. A Russian dictator invading a foreign country has costs all over the world. And I am taking decisive action to make sure that the pain of our sanctions is directed at the Russian economy. And I will use every tool we have to protect American business and consumers.
Tonight, I can announce that the United States has worked with 30 other countries to free 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world. America will lead these efforts by releasing 30 million barrels of our own strategic oil reserves. And we are ready to do more, if necessary, united with our allies.
These steps will help reduce gas prices here at home. And I know that the news of what is happening may seem alarming. But I want you to know that we will be fine. When the history of this era is written, Putin’s war against Ukraine will leave Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.
Although it didn’t take anything so horrible for people around the world to see what was at stake, now everyone sees it clearly. We see the unity between the leaders of the nations and a more united Europe, a more united West. And we see unity among the people who gather in large crowds in cities around the world, even in Russia, to show their support for Ukraine. In the battle between democracy and autocracy, democracies are rising so far and the world is clearly choosing the land of peace and security.
This is a real test. It will take time. So let us continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people. For our fellow Ukrainian Americans who are building a deep bond that connects our two nations, we are with you. Putin can tour Kyiv with tanks, but he will never win the hearts and souls of the Ukrainian people. He will never quench their love of freedom. He will never weaken the determination of the free world.