By Robert Strybel
United States President Joe Biden has given his first State of the Union address since becoming president.
Since becoming president, United States President Joe Biden has given his first State of the Union address.
He used the opportunity to say the US stood with Ukraine and that there was an “unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny” about Russia’s invasion.
The 62-minute speech was a mix of domestic and international issues. A CNN Poll conducted by SSRS said 71% of the viewers had a positive reaction, with 41% reacting very positively.
What Biden said about Putin and Russia
Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine was “premeditated and unprovoked.”
“Putin is now isolated from the world, more than he has ever been,” Biden said to loud applause.
“While he may make gains on the battlefield — he will pay a continuing high price over the long run,” Biden said and warned: “He has no idea what’s coming.”
“Throughout our history, we’ve learned this lesson: When dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” Biden said. “They keep moving. And the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.”
Biden also warned Russia’s oligarchs, who he said had built their fortunes off a “violent regime,” and said, “we’re coming for your ill-begotten gains.”
The US shuts airspace to Russian planes.
It was announced that US airspace would be closed to all Russian aircraft. “We will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia,” Biden said.
Biden said US forces would “not engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine,” but they would deploy to help secure NATO allies.
The Biden administration has gone from dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic head-on into a serious security challenge in Europe. But His speech came as Russia continued its attack on Ukraine.
