- Writing
- BBC News World
Joe Biden sent a direct message to Vladimir Putin.
The US president delivered a speech on Monday from Warsaw, the capital of Poland, in which he reaffirmed the “unity” of NATO, called his Russian counterpart a “dictator” and promised to continue his country’s aid to Ukraine.
Their expressions come just days following one year following the Russian invasion of Ukrainian soil and just hours following Putin accused the West of provoking the conflict. In addition, they occur a day following the president visited Kyiv, on a trip that has been classified as “unprecedented” and “surprising” by analysts and experts.
“Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia,” said Biden, from the iconic square located in front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, where dozens of people gathered to listen to him.
“A year ago, the world was preparing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I have just arrived from Kyiv and I can report that it is still going strong,” he said, as the audience cheered.
Biden also highlighted his defense of democracy.
“Democracy was too strong for Putin“, he assured. “Democracy in the world has become stronger, but the autocrats of the world have become weaker,” he added.
The US president also said he was proud to stand with the “freedom-loving people” and insisted that the West’s support for Ukraine “will not let up.”
Similarly, he reiterated NATO commitment to ensure that “Putin’s lust for territory and power fail.”
“NATO is more united than ever,” he emphasized.
war is a tragedy
Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his speech and stated that his courage has been forged in fire and steel.
Hence, he warned Putin that “brutality will never break the will of the free.” “LFree people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness.“, he added.
Biden detailed alleged abuses committed by Russia during the war, including the alleged use of rape as a weapon of war and an attempt to “steal” Ukraine’s future by taking children away from their homeland.Biden reiterated that the West was not conspiring to attack Russia and that “war was never a necessity, but it is a tragedy“.
“President Putin chose this war and that he might easily end it. If Russia stopped invading Ukraine it would end the war, but if Ukraine stopped defending itself it would mean the end of Ukraine.”
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