Biden in Poland: "I can report that Kyiv is standing strong"

Fresh from an unannounced visit to Kyiv, President Joe Biden gathered NATO allies in Poland on Tuesday, proclaiming "unwavering" support for Ukraine and a commitment to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank.

Source. Reuters

"A year ago, the world was preparing for the fall of Kyiv," Biden said in a speech in front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. – "I can report: Kyiv stands strong, Kyiv stands proud, it stands tall and, most importantly, it stands free.

"When President Putin ordered his tanks to move into Ukraine, he thought we would surrender," Biden said.

"Putin cannot be appeased, he can only be countered," Biden said. – "Autocrats understand only one word – no, no, no.

"Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia," he said.

The US president noted that a year after Russian tanks first entered Ukraine, the country is "still independent and free" – he leaned into the microphone to emphasize this.

The Ukrainian people are "too brave," he added.

"We are too united, and democracy has become strong. Instead of the easy victory that Putin expected, he retreated with burnt-out tanks and a disorderly army."

"He (Putin) thought that NATO would split and divide – instead, NATO is more united and united than ever."

Putin "finds himself at war with a nation led by a man whose courage will be forged in fire and steel – President Zelenskiy," Biden said.

He said that the Russian leader "faced today what he did not consider possible a year ago – democracy in the world has become stronger, not weaker.

"At the same time, the autocrats of the world have become weaker, not stronger, because in times of great upheaval and uncertainty, it is most important to know what you stand for. And knowing who is standing with you matters."

"He (Putin) could end the war with one word – it's simple," Biden said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Biden met with NATO ally Polish President Andrzej Duda, one of the biggest supporters of increased Western support for Kyiv.

Duda said that Biden's visit demonstrated the US commitment to maintaining security in Europe and called Biden's visit to Kyiv "an incredible gesture."

Poland has NATO's longest border with Ukraine and is a major route for weapons and refugees.

"I call on all European states, NATO countries to show solidarity with Ukraine, to provide Ukraine with military support so that they have something to fight with," Duda said. – "Do not be afraid to provide this support.

Biden's visit was welcomed by ordinary Poles and the 2.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children refugees from the conflict, currently living in the country.

Most called for bolder support for Kyiv from the West, including the delivery of fighter jets, which Biden has so far refrained from doing.

"We hope that they (the US) will increase the supply of weapons, that things will improve on the front and that we will win," said Alina Kiyko, 32, a Ukrainian woman in central Warsaw.

In the center of Warsaw, a giant advertising screen read in English: "Biden, give Ukraine F-16s," referring to American fighter jets.

Demonstrators put up a banner with the same slogan outside the hotel where Biden was staying for the night.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden will meet with the leaders of the Bucharest Nine, the countries on NATO's eastern flank, to reaffirm support for their security.

The United States has sent more than $24 billion in military aid, but U.S. officials are bracing for a bloody Russian spring offensive and say the war could last for many months or even years.