The war in Ukraine was invited, Tuesday, March 1, in the first speech on the state of the Union of Joe Biden.

“If you can, stand up and send an unequivocal sign to Ukraine and to the world,” said the American president, triggering a standing ovation from elected members of Congress.

Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, sat alongside First Lady Jill Biden in the packed US Capitol.

In the assembly, several elected officials sported the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.

For 12 minutes, Joe Biden praised Western and NATO response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is a "dictator", "more isolated than ever", said Joe Biden, confirming that the United States would close its airspace "to all Russian flights".

"He has no idea what awaits him," he added, moving away from the intended text.

“He believed he could enter Ukraine and the world would keep turning. Instead, he encountered a wall he had never considered. He encountered the Ukrainian people,” Joe Biden continued. .

"From President Zelensky to all Ukrainians, their bravery, their courage, their determination inspires the world."

"We were ready"

The American president has also threatened the Russian oligarchs with seizing their “yachts, luxury apartments, and private jets”, resulting from gains that he says are dishonest.

Joe Biden also said Vladimir Putin ignored efforts to avoid war.

"(Vladimir) Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected diplomatic efforts. He thought the West and NATO would not respond. He thought he could divide us here, home," Joe Biden said.

"(Vladimir) Putin was wrong. We were ready."

"In the battle between democracy and autocracy, democracies are there, and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security," said the tenant of the White House.

"If dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they cause even more chaos," warned the 46th president in American history to the address of the master of the Kremlin.

"Putin may be surrounding Kiev with tanks, but he will never manage to take the hearts and souls of the Ukrainian people," he added, "he will never extinguish their love of freedom."

"When the history of this period is written, Putin's war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger," said Joe Biden.

Inflation

The US president also spoke about inflation, exacerbated by the Russian crisis, and announced that more cars and semiconductors will be made in the United States.

"We face a choice. We could fight inflation by lowering wages and make Americans poorer. I have a better plan, though," Biden said.

"Rather than relying on foreign supply chains, let's make it in America. My plan to fight inflation will lower your costs and reduce the deficit."

Covid-19

Joe Biden also returned to the Covid-19 pandemic explaining that the obligation to wear a mask would soon be lifted across the country.

"I know you're tired, frustrated, exhausted," he said.

"But I also know that tonight I can tell you that we are surely moving towards new, more normal habits."

"Tonight, our nation's 245th, I have come to speak to you about the State of the Union. And here is what I have to say: The Union is strong because you, the American people, are strong. We are stronger today than we were a year ago. And we will be stronger in a year than we are today."

This annual speech to Congress allows Joe Biden to put forward his program, reassure Americans and try to revive his party in the polls, while the Democrats risk losing the legislative elections in November.

With AFP and Reuters

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