President Biden arrived in Poland after his audacious trip to Kyiv, Ukraine and set the stage on fire today. In a speech filled with resolve, passion, and grit, Biden’s words, just days ahead of the one-year mark of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, made it clear that the free world stands united against Putin’s aggression and against the forces of fascism and authoritarianism. This historic moment was vintage Biden!
Here are some images and videos of this memorable day, a day that will be remembered in history.
A short clip from his thunderous speech -
The full speech — (YouTube link)
Snippets from the speech (full transcript at www.whitehouse.gov/...) —
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. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most importantly, it stands free.
When President Putin ordered his tanks to roll in Ukraine he thought we would roll over. He was wrong. 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.
President Putin is confronted with something today that he didn't think was possible a year ago. The democracies of the world have grown stronger, not weaker, but the autocrats of the world have grown weaker, and not stronger -- because in the moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, knowing what you stand for is most important, and knowing who stands with you makes all of the difference.
Appetites of the autocrat cannot be appeased; they must be opposed. Autocrats only understand one word — No!. No, no, no. You will not take my country. No, you will not take my freedom. No, you will not take my future.
He doubts our staying power. He doubts our continued 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 craven lust for land and power will fail. And the Ukrainian people's love for their country will prevail. Democracies in the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow and forever. For that's what it's -- that's what's at stake here: Freedom.
We’ll hold accountable those who are responsible for this war. And we will seek justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity continuing to be committed by the Russians.
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 lifting up the human spirit -- and the brutal hand of the dictator who crushes it.
Freedom. There is no sweeter word than freedom. There is no nobler goal than freedom. There is no higher aspiration than freedom.
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 of liberation. Not of captivity, but, yes, of freedom.
Biden tweeting important parts of his speech for posterity -
The venue — with over 30,000 in attendance -
After the speech -
Earlier on, Biden arrived at the Presidential Palace for talk with Poland’s President Duda -
Bilateral talks with Poland -
A handshake to strengthen bonds with our allies -
American leadership on NATO -
The Trip to Poland
After the surprise visit to Kyiv on Sunday night / Monday morning, done by a 10-hour train ride from Poland to Kyiv, Biden and team traveled back to Poland by train.
There was no rest for the President on a mission -
Dark Brandon or Man of Steel — you decide.
Then a short plane ride to Warsaw -
And a short ride by motorcade to the Presidential Palace -
Yes, this is a President that makes all Americans proud (except the traitorous ones who prefer to support Putin and the forces of fascism). This is a President that unites people and nations. This is a leader that leads with American values and values cherished by all free nations and free People around the world.