President Joe Biden closed his first State of the Union address Tuesday night with a resounding sense of optimism and unity as the world watches Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying his confidence in the American people is what gives him assurance that democracy will prevail at this critical moment.
"Now is the hour, our moment of responsibility. Our test of resolve and conscience, of history itself. It is in this moment that our character is formed. Our purpose is found. Our future is forged," Biden said in closing.
"Well, I know this nation. We will meet the test. To protect freedom and liberty, to expand fairness and opportunity. We will save democracy. As hard as these times have been, I am more optimistic about America today than I have been my whole life," he continued.
The President said, "The state of the union is strong, because you, the American people, are strong."
"We are stronger today than we were a year ago," Biden said. "And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today. Now is our moment to meet and overcome the challenges of our time. And we will, as one people. One America. The United States of America."
Speaking to political leaders in Washington, Biden began the address by underscoring unity against Russia within the US and among its allies.
Amid such a crucial time for global politics, Biden sent a message to the world: The West is united in its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and condemns the Russian leader for his aggression. And he also encouraged all in the chamber to show that support with a resounding standing ovation and said the US and its allies have "an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny."
Biden argued that Putin's aggression had only made the world's democracies strengthen their resolve to counter rising autocracies.
"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," Biden said. "He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would rollover. Instead, he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the Ukrainian people."
The President also boasted of the West's unanimity in the face of Russia's aggression, saying their united front is "inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine" and "choking off Russia's access to technology that will sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come."
"Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected repeated, repeated, efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home, in this chamber, and in this nation. Putin was wrong. We were ready," Biden said.
"We spent months building a coalition of other freedom-loving nations from Europe and the Americas to Asia and Africa to confront Putin. I spent countless hours unifying our European allies. We shared with the world in advance what we knew Putin was planning and precisely how he would try to falsely justify his aggression. We countered Russia's lies with truth. And now that he has acted the free world is holding him accountable."
The President celebrated the impact actions will have on "Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime no more."
"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains," he said.
He also asserted that "Russia's economy is reeling and Putin alone is to blame."
Putin, for his part, was not expected to watch the speech, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. "The President usually does not watch TV addresses," Peskov said in response to a question from CNN.
As Tuesday unfolded ahead of Biden's primetime speech, the President, his administration, and its allies have made it clear that Ukraine has been top of mind.
The US and its allies announced early Tuesday that they have agreed to a release of 60 million barrels from their reserves, the White House and International Energy Agency, as leaders seek to dampen the effect of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on gas prices at home. Vice President Kamala Harris held five separate calls with European leaders and Biden held a half-hour call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Biden acknowledged that many Americans are worried about how gas prices are being affected by the war.
"I know the news about what's happening can seem alarming. But I want you to know that we are going to be OK," he said. "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."
Source: CNN
