Biden on Russia Ukraine war
In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, US President Joe Biden gave the annual State of the Union, the equivalent of the Dutch speech from the throne. Biden used the speech, among other things, to express his support for Ukraine and to unfold his economic plans. Several times he lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he at one point called a “dictator”.
You might also like
Biden said “US diplomacy matters” and that Putin made a serious miscalculation in invading Ukraine.
The president also pledged to fight inflation in the United States and reduce the budget deficit, which has grown significantly in the past two years, partly due to additional spending due to the corona pandemic.
Echoing his earlier comments about the invasion, Biden described the war in Ukraine as “premeditated and unprovoked”. Putin “rejected attempts at diplomacy,” he said. “He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. And he thought he could divide us here at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready.”
As a show of support for Ukraine, first lady Jill Biden had Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, as her special guest during the speech.
Markarova received a standing ovation from the hundreds in the audience at the request of the president.
Biden made it clear that the US will not, however, assist Ukraine militarily with troops on the ground in the conflict with Russia. But he also said that if Russia threatens one of the NATO countries militarily, it is prepared to do so.
Biden lashes out at Putin, announces ‘COVID-19 plan’ in State of the Union (Biden on Russia Ukraine war)
Biden: ‘I’m cutting costs, not your wages’
Of his plan to fight inflation, Biden said it would “cut your costs, not your wages.” He wants to achieve this cost reduction, among other things, by producing more domestically: “I call it building a better America.
My plan to fight inflation will lower your costs and reduce the deficit.” He called curbing price increases his “top priority”.
The corona pandemic was also discussed. Biden said the United States “will never accept living with COVID-19” and that “COVID-19 no longer needs to rule our lives.” On Wednesday, his administration will announce a new national COVID-19 preparedness plan, Biden said. “Then we can safely return to normal routines.” (Biden on Russia Ukraine war)
Towards the end of the speech, Biden expressed concern over abortion rights, which he says are “under attack more than ever”; he called for stricter gun laws; and rejected proposals for cutbacks to the police.
The State of the Union address is considered the most important political speech of the year. It is an important moment for Biden to pick up his declining popularity numbers.
JOIN US ON WHATSAPP
