US President Joe Biden says Ukraine has ‘unwavering’ support

The US President has taken aim at Putin in a major speech where he said Russia would “never have victory” in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has said that Russia will “never have victory” in a landmark speech marking the one year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

And in a brutal take-down, he said that while the Russian autocrat had planned to take Kyiv in days, “Putin left with burnt out tanks”.

However, while he stressed the US and NATO’s commitment to helping Ukraine defend itself he failed to mention the delivery of fighter planes, a key demand of Kyiv.

Mr Biden did not repeat remarks a year ago in Poland – which seemed to be off the cuff – that Putin should be deposed in Russia.

The speech in Poland came just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke in Moscow blaming the West for his “special military operation”.

He said that the West was challenging the very “existence” of Russia.

However, in a message to the Russian people the US President said the US had no wish or desire to “control, destroy or attack … Russia” and that the war was Putin’s alone.

He reiterated the “sacred oath” that an attack against NATO countries – of which Poland is one – is an attack against them all.

US President Joe Biden walks on stage upon arrival to deliver a speech at the Royal Warsaw Castle Gardens in Warsaw on February 21, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

‘Kyiv stands strong’

Speaking at Warsaw’s Royal Palace on Tuesday evening local time, Mr Biden said that when Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, “he thought we would roll over. He was wrong”.

“Democracy was too strong.

“Instead of an easy victory he perceived and predicted, Putin left with burnt out tanks and Russia’s forces in disarray.

“One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I have just come from a visit to Kyiv and I can report that Kyiv stands strong,” Mr Biden said.

“It stands tall. And most importantly, it stands free.”

US President Joe Biden said Kyiv “stands strong”. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

The president mentioned the word “freedom” at least 12 times during the 30 minute oration, far swifter than Putin’s two hour long diatribe.

The two addresses looked very different. While Putin spoke on a cold stage, bear aside from a few flags, and facing serried rows of Russia’s elite; Mr Biden spoke in the middle of essentially a light show on the Royal Palace surrounded by kids waving paper flags and left the stage to a Coldplay song.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address at the Gostiny Dvor conference centre in central Moscow on February 21, 2023. (Photo by Dmitry ASTAKHOV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

Attendees applaud as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address at the Gostiny Dvor conference centre in central Moscow on February 21, 2023. (Photo by Maksim BLINOV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

Biden’s message to Russian people

“There should be no doubt. Our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided and we will not tire”.

Mr Biden said Putin had sought the “Finlandisation” of NATO. Finlandisation is a term used to describe how smaller nations try to placate larger foes by turning a blind eye to their actions.

“Instead Putin got the ‘NATOisation’ of Finland – and Sweden,” he said in a reference to the two Nordic countries deciding to join the defence alliance in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

People cheer during the speech of the US President at the Royal Warsaw Castle Gardens in Warsaw on February 21, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Putin has tried to convince Russians that his so-called “special military operation” is about defending the country from domination or even invasion from the West.

“The elite of the West does not conceal their ambitions, which is to strategically defeat Russia. What does that mean? It means to finish yourself once and for all,” he said on Tuesday.

But Mr Biden rejected that assessment.

“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.

“Millions of Russia citizens who only want to live with their neighbours in peace are not the enemy.

“This war is never a necessity. It’s a tragedy. President Putin chose this war.”

US President Joe Biden poses with children after delivering a speech at the Royal Warsaw Castle Gardens in Warsaw on February 21, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

‘Hard days ahead for Ukraine’

He added that there were would be “hard days ahead,” for Ukraine.

“As Ukraine continues to defend itself against the Russian onslaught and launch a counteroffensive of its own, it will continue to be hard and very bitter days. Victories and tragedies,

The speech did not mention the fighter jets Kyiv so dearly wants. While the West seems more open to their deployment there are concerns about how long it will take to train pilots on them and if it could escalate the conflict further.

But Mr Biden said Russia would not win its war.

“Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia.

“One year after the bombs began to fall, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, Ukraine is still independent and free. From Kharkiv to Kherson, the land has been reclaimed.”

He said there was as simple way for the bloodshed for end – Putin just needed to stop.

“He could end the war with a word.

“If Russia stopped invading Ukraine it would end this war. If Ukraine stopped defending itself it would end Ukraine.”