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.
“ A dictator who seeks to rebuild an empire can never defeat the love of freedom Joe Biden’s words are strong, but the American president was very clear: he will stay with Ukraine until it is totally free.
The visit of the American president is intended as a response to the speech delivered on Tuesday by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, which 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 ago, the whole world expected the fall of kyivhe said. I can testify : Kyiv is strong, Kyiv is proud, Kyiv is standing and, most importantly, Kyiv is free ! »
US President Joe Biden assured Tuesday that Ukraine would not be “ never a victory for Russia during this speech in Poland, just before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Polish call for more military aid to Ukrainians
It is no coincidence that Joe Biden praised the effectiveness of NATO in Poland, explains our correspondent in Warsaw, Martin Chabal. Poland has been at the forefront since February 24, 2022. A real hub for military and humanitarian aid, it has multiplied its military spending this year to build a large army.
The visit was historic: for the first time in history, a President of the United States visited Warsaw twice in less than a year. For the President of the United States, in one year Poland has become an ally that counts, and he has come before a conquered public.
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. Joe Biden asked God to bless Poland for the generosity of its people. ” There’s really something to be proud of “, he launched to the applause of the Poles and Ukrainians who came in large numbers this evening. Some of them called on him to do even more to support kyiv in the face of the Russian invasion, including unfurling a banner that called for “ F-16s for Ukraine in front of his hotel. Washington refuses for the moment to deliver combat planes.
Joe Biden had previously spoken with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda whom he thanked for his commitment. “ Your visit demonstrates U.S. responsibility for global and European security “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 […] Don’t be afraid to provide that help “, he added.
Andrzej Duda’s foreign policy adviser said the two presidents were also to discuss strengthening NATO’s permanent presence in Poland, but neither of the two heads of state has publicly raised the subject.
Meeting with the Nine from Bucharest » scheduled for Wednesday
Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, the President of the United States will meet with the leaders of the ” Nine from Bucharest “, the nine countries from the former communist bloc that 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 on Monday announced a new military aid of 450 million dollars, including in particular ammunition for Ukrainian artillery, anti-tank missiles and radars for anti-aircraft defence.
► Also to listen: Witnesses to the news – A year of war in Ukraine with the RFI journalists who came to this podcast
(with agencies)