Corpulent speech: President Biden addresses NATO allies in Poland

One of our great allies president Duda prime minister Mr Prime Minister Mr Mayor to all the former ministers and presidents as well as Mayors and polish political leaders from all across the country thank you for welcoming back to Poland.

You know it was nearly one year ago nearly one year ago I spoke at the Royal Castle here at Warsaw just weeks after Vladimir Putin had Unleashed his murderous assault on Ukraine the largest land war in Europe since World War II had begun and the principles that have been the.

Cornerstone of peace prosperity and stability on this planet for more than 75 years with risk of being shattered one year ago the world was racing for the fall of Kiev well I just come from a visit to Keith and I can report Keith Stands Strong.

Key stands proud it stands tall and most important it stands free when Russia invaded it wasn't just Ukraine being tested the whole world faced the test for the ages Europe was being tested America was being tested NATO is being tested all.

Democracies are being tested and the questions we Face were as simple as they were profound would we respond or would we look the other way would it be strong would we be weak would be you we would would we the all of our allies would be United or divided one year later we know the answer.

We did respond we would be strong we would be United and the world would not look the other way we also face fundamental questions about the commitment to the most basic of principles would we stand up for the sovereignty of nations would.

We stand up for the right of people to live free from naked aggression we stand up for democracy one year later we know the answers yes we would stand up for sovereignty and we did yes we would stand up for the right of people to live free from aggression and.

We did and we would stand up for democracy and we did and yesterday I had the honor to stand with president zielinski in cave to declare that we will keep standing up for these same things no matter what together when President Putin ordered his tanks.

To roll in Ukraine he thought we would roll over he was wrong he ranked the Ukrainian people are too brave America Europe a coalition of Nations for the Atlantic to the Pacific we were too Unified democracy was too strong.

Instead of an easy Victory he perceived and predicted Putin left with burnout tanks and Russia's forces and delay and just in disarray he thought he'd get the finalization of NATO instead he got the natoization of Finland and Sweden.

He thought NATO would fracture and divide instead NATO was more united and more unified than ever than ever before he thought he could weaponize energy to crack your resolve Europe's resolve instead we're working together to end Europe's dependence on Russell Russian fossil fuels.

He thought autocrats like himself were tough and leaders of democracy were solved and then he met the Iron Will of America and the Nations everywhere that refused to accept the world governed by fear and force he found himself at war with a nation led by a man whose courage would be.

Forged in Fire and steel president zielinski President Putin President Putin is confronted with something today that he didn't think was possible a year ago the Democracy of the world have grown stronger not weaker.

But the autocrats of the world have grown weaker not stronger because in the moments of great upheaval and uncertainty that knowing what you stand for is most important and knowing who stands with you makes all the difference the people of Poland know that you know that.

In fact you know you know it better than anyone here in Poland because that's what solidarity means to partition and oppression when the beautiful City was destroyed after the war saw Uprising during decades under the Iron Fist of communist rule Poland endured because you stood together.

That's How brave leaders of the opposition and the people of Belarus continue to fight for their democracy that's how the resolve of moldovan people resolve the people all over to live in Freedom and gain them Independence and put them.

On the path to EU membership president Sandu is here today I'm not sure she is but I'm proud to stand with you and the freedom loving people of Moldova give her a round of applause one year and one year into this war Putin no longer doubts the strength of our coalition.

But he still doubts our conviction he doubts our staying power he doubts our continuous support for Ukraine he doubts whether NATO can remain Unified but there should be no doubt our support for Ukraine will not waver NATO will not be divided and we will not Tire.

President Putin's craving lust for land and power will fail and the Ukrainian people's love for their country will prevail democracies of the world will stand guard over Freedom today tomorrow and forever so that's what it's that's what's at stake here freedom.

That's the message I carried achieve yesterday directly to the people of Ukraine when president zielinski said he came to the United States in December quote he said the struggle will Define the world and what our children and grandchildren how they live and then their children and.

Grandchildren he wasn't only speaking about the children and grandchildren of Ukraine he was speaking about all of our children and grandchildren yours and mine we're seeing again today with the people of Poland and the people across Europe saw for decades.

Appetites of the autocrat cannot be appeased they must be opposed autocrats only understand one word no no no you will not take my country no you will not take my freedom no you will not take my future and I'll repeat tonight what I said last year in the same place.

A dictator they're not rebuilding an Empire will never be able to ease the people's love of Liberty brutality will never grind down the will of the free and Ukraine Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia never.

For free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness you know this has been an extraordinary year in every sense extraordinary brutality of Russian forces and Mercenaries they've committed to privities crimes against humanity without shame or compunction.

They've targeted civilians with death and destruction used rape as a weapon of War stolen Ukrainian children an attempt in an attempt to steal Ukraine's future Bob train stations maternity hospital schools and orphanages no one.

No one can turn away their eyes from the atrocities Russia is committing against Ukrainian people it's abhorrent it's abhorrent but extraordinarily as well has been the response of the Ukrainian people and the world one year after the bombs began to fall.

Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine Ukraine is still independent and free from Kirsten to Clarke Ukrainian Fighters have reclaimed their land or the 50 of the territory Russia held last year the blue and the yellow flag of Ukraine proudly weighs once again president zielinski still leads a.

Democratic elected government that represents the will of the Ukrainian people the world has already voted multiple times including the United Nations General Assembly to condemn Russians aggression and support a just peace each time in the U.N that vote has been.

Overwhelming in October 143 Nations the United Nations condemned Russia's illegal annexation only four for the entire U.N voted with Russia for so tonight I speak once more to the people of Russia the United States and the nations of.

Europe do not seek to control or destroy Russia the West Was Not plotting to attack Russia as Putin said today and millions of Russian citizens who only want to live in peace with their neighbors are not the enemy this war was never a necessity it's a tragedy.

President Putin chose this war every day the war continues is his choice he could end the war with the word it's simple if Russia stopped invading Ukraine it would end the war if you crane stop defending itself against Russia would be the end of.

Ukraine that's why together we're making sure you crane can defend itself the United States has assembled a worldwide Coalition of more than 50 Nations to get critical weapons and supplies to the brave Ukrainian fighters in the.

Front lines air defense systems artillery ammunition tanks armored vehicles the European Union and its member states have stepped up with unprecedented commitment to Ukraine not just any security assistance but economic and humanitarian Refugee insistence and so much more.

To all of you here tonight take a moment and I'm serious when I say this turn on look turn around and look at one another look at what you've done so far Fulton is hosting more than 1.5 million refugees from this war God bless you Paula's generosity your willingness to open your hearts and your homes is.

Extraordinary and the American people are united in our resolve as well all across my country and big cities and small towns Ukrainian Flags fly from American homes over the past year Democrats and Republicans in our United States Congress have come together to stand for.

Freedom that's who Americans are and that's what Americans do the world is also coming together to address the global Fallout from President Putin's War Putin tried to starve the world flocking a portion of the Black Sea to stop Ukraine from exporting its grain.

Exacerbating the global food crisis that hit developing nations in Africa especially hard instead the United States and the G7 and partners around the world answer the call with historic commitments to address the crisis and to bolster Global Food Supplies and this week.

My wife Jill Biden is traveling to Africa to help bring attention to this critical issue our commitment is to the people of Ukraine and the future of Ukraine a Ukraine is free Sovereign and Democratic that was a dream of those who declared.

Ukraine's Independence more than 30 years ago who led the orange Revolution and the revolution of dignity who braved ice and fire in the badon and the Heavenly hundred who died there and those who continue still to root out kremlin's efforts to corrupt coerce and control.

It's a dream for those Ukrainian Patriots who fought for years against Russia's aggressions in the dombas and the heroes who've given everything given their lives the service of the Beloved Ukraine I was honored to visit the memorial in.

Kiev yesterday to pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who lost their lives standing alongside president zielinski the United States and our partner stand with Ukraine's teachers as Hospital staff as emergency responders the workers in cities across Ukraine are fighting to keep the power on.

In the face of Russia's cruel bombardment We Stand but the millions of refugees of this war who found a welcome in Europe and the United States particularly here in Poland Ordinary People all across Europe did whatever they could to help and.

Continue to do so polish businesses Civil Society cultural leaders including the first lady of Poland who was here tonight have led with the heart and determination showcasing all that's good about the human Spirit not a first lady up we love you thank you all thank you I'll never forget last year visiting.

With refugees from Ukraine who had just arrived in Warsaw seen their faces exhausted and Afraid holding their children so close we're in they might never see their fathers their husbands their brothers or sisters again in that darkest moment through lives you the people of Poland offered them.

Safety and Light you embrace them you literally embrace them I watched I watched the looks on their faces meanwhile together we made sure the Russia's paying the price for its abuses we continue to maintain the largest sanctioned regime ever imposed in any.

Country in history and we're going to announce more sanctions this week together with our partners well hold accountable those who are responsible for this war and will seek Justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity continuing to be committed by the.

Russians you know there is much for us to be proud of over the all that we have achieved together this past year but we have to be honest and clear-eyed as we look at the year ahead the defense of freedom is not the work of a day or every year.

It's always difficult It's always important as Ukraine continues to defend itself against the Russian Onslaught and launch counter-offensive of its own there will continue to be hard and very bitter days victories and tragedies but Ukraine is still for the fight ahead.

In the United States together with our allies and partners are going to continue to have Ukraine's back as it defends itself next year I will host every member of NATO for our 2024 Summit in the United States together will celebrate the 75th anniversary of.

The strongest defensive Alliance in the history of the world NATO and let there be no doubt the commitment of the United States to our NATO alliance in Article 5 is Rock Solid and every member of NATO knows it and.

Russia knows it as well an attack against one is attack against all it's a sacred over sacredos to the vent every inch of NATO territory over the past year the United States has come together with our allies and partners in an extraordinary coalition to stand against Russian aggression.

The work in front of us is not just what we're against it's about what we're for what kind of world do we want to build we need to take the strength and capacity of this Coalition and apply it to lifting up lifting up the lives of people everywhere improving health growing Prosperity preserving the plan.

Of building peace and security treating everyone with dignity and respect that's our responsibility the Democracy of the world have to deliver it for our people As We Gather tonight the world in my view as an at an inflection point the decisions we make over the next five.

Years or so are going to determine and shape our lives for decades to come that's true for Americans it's true for the people of the world and while decisions are ours to make now the principles and the stakes are eternal the choice between chaos and stability.

Between building and destroying between hope and fear between democracy lifts up the human spirit and the brutal hand of the dictate who crushes it between nothing less than limitation and possibilities the kind of possibilities that come.

When people who live not in captivity but in Freedom freedom Freedom there is no sweeter word than Freedom there is no nobler goal than Freedom there's no higher aspiration than freedom Americans know that and you know it and all that we do now must be done so.

Our children and grandchildren will know it as well freedom the enemy of the Tyrant and the hope of the Brave and the truth of the ages freedom stand with us we will stand with you let us move forward with faith and conviction and with an abiding.

Commitment to be allies not of Darkness but of light not of Oppression but obliteration not of captivity but yes of freedom may God bless you all may God protect our troops and may God bless the heroes of Ukraine and all those who didn't defend Freedom around the world thank you Poland thank you thank you thank you.

For what you're doing God bless you all

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