President Joe Biden will pledge that Vladimir Putin "pay a price" for Russia's invasion of Ukraine in his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, calling on his foreign allies, while explaining his plans to fight inflation and the still dangerous coronavirus.
According to the AP agency, Biden plans to highlight the courage of the Ukrainians who are defending their country and the determination of a revitalized Western alliance to rearm the Ukrainian Army and paralyze the Russian economy through sanctions.
“Throughout history, we have learned this lesson:
When dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,”
Biden will say, according to excerpts released by the White House.
"They keep moving. And the costs and the threats to the United States and the world keep going up."
They shield the Capitol in Washington DC prior to Biden's State of the Union address
Feb. 28, 202200:25
"Vladimir Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked," he will add.
Although the speech planned to focus on inflation, what happened in Ukraine and its meaning changed the plans.
The increase in energy prices as a result of the Russian invasion may further exacerbate prices, which are at their highest levels in 40 years, threatening the economic recovery from the pandemic.
Capitol Police officers stand guard near the seat of Congress on March 1, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Security has been increased around the Capitol building ahead of the president's first State of the Union address. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images
And while the geopolitical crisis in Eastern Europe may have helped cool partisan tensions in Washington DC, it cannot erase the political and cultural discord that casts doubt on Biden's ability to promote national unity.