Joe Biden State of the Union Address: U.S. President Denounces Russia's Vladimir Putin’s Attack on Ukraine
President Joe Biden used his first State of the Union speech Tuesday in addressing the Ukraine and Russia crisis, saying the United States stands with Ukraine amid the war.
According to Reuters, Biden led a standing ovation for Ukraine and its people during his State of the Union address.
"Let each of us if you're able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world," Biden said.
Democrats and Republicans in the chamber of the House of Representatives then rose to applaud their support for Ukraine. Many of them also waved the flags of Ukraine.
Ahead of the president's arrival, Ukrainian flags were passed among attendees. Several women members of Congress were reportedly wearing clothes in the colors of Ukraine's flag - yellow and blue.
Biden started his State of the Union address by sending a resounding message to the world that the West is united in its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and in condemning Russia's President Vladimir Putin for his aggression, CNN reported.
Biden has heavily criticized Putin in his remarks, saying the Russian leader badly miscalculated how events would unfold and now "Russia's economy is reeling and Putin alone is to blame."
"He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the Ukrainian people... From President Zelenskiy to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination, inspires the world," the president said.
Biden noted that "Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked," and that the Russian leader rejected efforts at diplomacy.
"He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. And, he thought he could divide us here at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready," Biden said.
Joe Biden also warned Putin, other corrupt officials, and Russian oligarchs that harsh punishments are still coming in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, and your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains," Biden noted.
In the excerpts of his State of the Union address released by the White House, Biden seemed to call Putin a dictator, The Daily Mail reported.
"Throughout our history we've learned this lesson - when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving," Biden said, adding that the threats to America and the world "will keep rising."
Biden then explained why the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance was created, and that is "to secure peace and stability in Europe after World War Two."
"The United States is a member along with 29 other nations... It matters. American diplomacy matters," he noted.
Reuters reported that before his State of the Union address, two sources familiar with the matter said Biden would also announce that the U.S. will ban Russian flights in the American airspace.
Biden started his state of the union address at 9 p.m. ET, USA Today reported. It was televised on all major TV networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and PBS.
Joe Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin
The U.S. and its allies have already launched several sanctions against Russia's economy and financial system, as well as Vladimir Putin and his inner circle of oligarchs.
Last Friday, the U.S. government joined European countries in imposing sanctions on Putin and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The EU states and Britain agreed earlier Friday to freeze any European assets of Putin and Lavrov to increase pressure on Moscow to halt its invasion of Ukraine.
Before this, Biden has announced sanctions on Russia that target the country's largest banks and companies.
The said sanctions reportedly cut off Russia from western financial markets and imposed restrictions on the exports of advanced technology used to power the country's tech and military sector.
According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, these sanctions would impact nearly 80 percent of all banking assets in Russia.
Joe Biden to Send Support to Ukraine
Hours before Joe Biden's State of the Union address, the U.S. president announced that his administration would further support Ukraine.
Biden tweeted that the U.S. would provide security assistance and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
He added that the United States will continue to hold Russia accountable, pointing out that the sanctions they imposed "are already having a devastating impact."
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Joshua Summers
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