In Poland, Joe Biden promises that “Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia”
US President Joe Biden on February 21, 2023 in Warsaw as the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches.
© Evan Vucci/AP
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
Returning from his surprise visit to Kiev on Monday, US President Joe Biden praised NATO unity on Tuesday in Warsaw and proclaimed the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine.
The official visit to Poland is Joe Biden's second in the past twelve months.
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The visit of the American president is intended as a response to the speech delivered on Tuesday by
his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
, who once again blamed Western countries for the war in Ukraine.
"
The West is not plotting to attack Russia
," replied Joe Biden in a speech delivered at the Royal Palace in Warsaw.
The President of the United States felt that Vladimir Putin had greatly underestimated the Ukrainian authorities and the ability of NATO to remain united when he launched the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022
. a year, the whole world expected the fall of Kiev
, he said.
I can testify to this
: Kyiv is strong, Kyiv is proud, Kyiv is standing and, most importantly, Kyiv is free
!
»
US President Joe Biden assured Tuesday that Ukraine would "
never be a victory for Russia
", during a speech in Poland, just before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
“
A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire can never erode the people's love for freedom, brutality will never crush the will of those who want to remain free.
Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia – never
,” Biden told a crowd gathered outside the Royal Castle in Warsaw.
Polish call for more military aid to Ukrainians
Joe Biden had previously spoken with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, one of Ukraine's most fervent supporters, whom he thanked for his commitment.
“
Your visit demonstrates the responsibility of the United States for security in the world and in Europe
,” said the Polish president.
"
I call on all European countries, all NATO members, to show their solidarity with Ukraine, to provide military aid to Ukraine
[...]
Do not be afraid to provide this help
,” he added.
Poland, which shares a long border with Ukraine, serves as a rear base for arms transfers and has taken in more than 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees since the start of the conflict.
Andrzej Duda's foreign policy adviser said the two presidents should also discuss strengthening NATO's permanent presence in Poland as the country embarks on a forced
modernization of his army
, but neither of the two heads of state has publicly raised the subject.
Joe Biden was triumphantly welcomed by Poles and Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw.
Some have called on him to do even more to support Kiev in the face of the Russian invasion, including unfurling a banner calling for “
F-16s for Ukraine
” outside his hotel.
Washington refuses for the moment to deliver combat planes.
Meeting with the “
Bucharest Nine
” scheduled for Wednesday
Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, the President of the United States will meet with the leaders of the "
Bucharest Nine
", the nine countries from the former communist bloc that have joined NATO.
Most of these Eastern European countries – with the notable exception of Hungary – are strong supporters of arms deliveries to Ukraine, which they see as a bulwark for their own security.
Washington announced Monday a new
military aid
of 450 million dollars, including in particular ammunition for Ukrainian artillery, anti-tank missiles and radars for anti-aircraft defense.
► Also to listen: Witnesses to the news – A year of war in Ukraine with the RFI journalists who came to this podcast
(with agencies)
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Joe Biden