Ukraine war: US President Biden sharply attacks Putin – “More isolated than ever”

Created: 03/02/2022 05:21

By: Luke Rogalla, Michelle Brey

Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address in the Capitol – and also addresses the war between Russia and Ukraine.

© Win McNamee/AFP

The Ukraine conflict, the corona pandemic and domestic political issues: the US President will deliver his first State of the Union address on Wednesday.

Above all, Joe Biden sharply attacks the Russian President.

Update from March 2, 5:10 a.m .:

According to US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin will never be able to convince the Ukrainian people.

"Putin may encircle Kyiv with tanks, but he will never win the hearts and souls of Ukrainians," Biden said in his State of the Union address to both chambers of the U.S. Congress on Tuesday.

"He will never erase her love of freedom.

He will never weaken the resolve of the free world.” Biden said that in the contest between democracies and autocracies, democracies rose to the challenge, “and the world is clearly choosing peace and security.”

Biden was instrumental in forging the anti-Putin coalition of Western-leaning states that imposed tough sanctions on Russia over the war of aggression in Ukraine.

Ukraine war: "Putin more isolated than ever" - Biden sharply attacks Russian president

Update from March 2, 3:35 a.m .:

During his State of the Union address, US President Joe Biden sent a clear message to Vladimir Putin after the Russian attack on Ukraine.

"If dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos," Biden said on Tuesday evening (local time) in Washington.

This is why NATO was founded.

Russia's president thought he could split the West and NATO would not react.

"Putin was wrong," Biden said.

We will continue to stand together.

"Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked," Biden warned.

Putin has decided to reject diplomatic efforts.

“We inflict pain on Russia and support the Ukrainian people.

Putin is now more isolated from the world than ever.” Biden has also praised the resistance and courage of Ukrainians after the Russian attack.

"Her fearlessness, courage and determination inspire the world," he said.

The Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova is in the Capitol - and visibly touched by Biden's speech.

Update from March 2, 2:46 a.m .:

In about 15 minutes, Joe Biden will give his first State of the Union address as US President.

Above all, the war in Ukraine is the focus of the address to the congress.

Update from March 2, 12:55 a.m .:

In his State of the Union address, US President Joe Biden will emphasize the unity of the West towards Russia in the Ukraine war.

Vladimir Putin thought that the West and NATO would "not respond" to an attack on Ukraine, according to Biden's speech, excerpts of which were published in advance on Tuesday.

Putin also believed that he could "split" Western states.

“Putin was wrong.

We are ready."

In what is known as the “State of the Union Address” before Congress, Biden will also defend the harsh sanctions against Russia, according to the speech.

“Throughout our history, we have learned this lesson: when dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they wreak even more havoc.

you carry on.

And the costs and threats for America and the world continue to rise." That's why NATO was founded after the Second World War - to guarantee "peace and security in Europe".

Joe Biden speaks before Congress - also about the Ukraine war

First report:

Washington/Munich – The war in Ukraine is raging.

On Tuesday, a rocket apparently struck right on the central Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city.

A video shows the enormous explosion.

Meanwhile, a kilometer-long Russian military convoy is on its way to Kyiv.

In response to Russia's invasion, the EU and the US passed far-reaching sanctions.

The Ukraine conflict* is also likely to be a central theme in Joe Biden's* first State of the Union speech.

The US President will deliver what is known as the "State of the Union Address" before both chambers of Congress on Tuesday (9 p.m. local time; Wednesday, 3 a.m. CET).

In the midst of the Ukraine conflict: US President delivers first speech on the State of the Union

According to Joe Biden's spokeswoman Jen Psaki, the US President wants to explain his actions against Russian President Vladimir Putin* during the speech.

At the same time, the 79-year-old wants to send a message of "optimism" and express his "belief in the resilience and strength of the American people". 

This article shows all current maps and graphics related to the Ukraine War.

Biden is also likely to go into detail about the coronavirus pandemic and domestic issues such as his reform agenda.

The President had already given a speech to MPs and Senators in April last year.

In a president's first year in office, however, such a speech is not traditionally referred to as a "State of the Union Address".