Biden at U.S. Congress: Putin met a wall of strength he never imagined

U.S. President Joe Biden made a corresponding statement in his State of the Union Address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the foundations of the free world thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the Ukrainian people,” Biden said at the beginning of his speech.

In the Congress Hall, Biden personally greeted the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova, who was invited as a guest of honor to the rostrum along with the First Lady. The President expressed gratitude to the Ambassador and support to all brave Ukrainians.

“We the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people,” Biden stressed.

According to him, when dictators, like Putin, do not pay a price for their aggression they cause more chaos and keep moving, rising the costs and the threats to America and the world. That’s why the NATO Alliance was created.

“Putin’s latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. And he thought he could divide us at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready,” the U.S. leader stressed.

Currently, the free world is holding Putin accountable, putting pressure on Russia's economy and supporting Ukrainians, he continued. In addition to unprecedented sanctions, Russian banks are cut off from the international financial system, Russia’s central bank is prevented from defending the Russian Ruble, making Putin’s $630 Billion “war fund” worthless. The Ruble has lost 30% of its value. The Russian stock market has lost 40% of its value and trading remains suspended. Russia’s economy is reeling and Putin alone is to blame.

“We are choking off Russia’s access to technology that will sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come. Tonight I say to the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime no more. The U.S. Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs,” Biden noted.

Biden also announced that the United States was closing off American air space to all Russian flights.

“We are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine. Putin is now isolated from the world more than ever,” the U.S. leader underscored.

Biden also noted that the United States, together with its allies, had been providing military, economic, humanitarian, and other assistance to Ukraine.

“And we will continue to aid the Ukrainian people as they defend their country… Putin has unleashed violence and chaos.  But while he may make gains on the battlefield – he will pay a continuing high price over the long run,” he stressed.

According to Biden, when the history of this era is written Putin’s war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.

As reported, on Tuesday morning, U.S. President Joe Biden had a phone call with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. Biden assured the Ukrainian leader of full support from the United States and other Western countries.

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