The words of Biden were heard around the globe, but the White House tried to clarify that Biden was not calling for a Russian new government.
An official from the White House stated that Biden was “not talking about Putin’s power or regime change” and that he was stating that Putin cannot be allowed to exert power over his neighbours or the region.
The White House declined comment to confirm that Biden’s comments about Putin were part of his prepared remarks.
Biden stated, “For God’s sake this man cannot stay in power,” at the end of a speech in Poland that served as the culmination to a four-day European trip.
Biden has often talked about making sure that Putin’s invasion by the Kremlin, now in its second-month, is a “strategic fail” for Putin. But, until his comments in Warsaw the American leader hadn’t veered towards suggesting Putin shouldn’t run Russia. Biden had earlier called Putin a “butcher” shortly before meeting with the Ukrainian refugees on Saturday.
Biden used his speech to defend liberal democracy and NATO’s military alliance. He also said that Europe must be prepared for a long battle against Russian aggression.
Biden had met with Ukrainian refugees earlier in the day. Russia continued its bombardment of cities across Ukraine. Lviv was the nearest major Ukrainian city to Poland, and was the scene of explosions. It is also the destination for internally replaced people who have been mostly spared major attacks.
Biden’s images of reassuring refugees, calling for Western unity are contrasted against the dramatic scenes with flames and smoke billowing near the Polish border — another split-screen moment in war.
Biden spoke in the Royal Castle, Warsaw’s most famous landmark that was severely damaged during World War II, and it was described by the White House to be a major address.
He cited the words of Pope John Paul II, a Polish-born pope, and warned that Putin’s invasion in Ukraine would bring about “decades” of war.
“In this fight we must be clear-eyed. Biden stated that this battle would not be won in a matter of days or even months.
The crowd included about 1,000 people, including some Ukrainian refugees fleeing for Poland or other countries in the face of the invasion.
Biden stated, “We must be committed now to this fight for long-term,”
Biden also refuted Putin’s claim that the invasion was meant to “de-Nazify Ukraine.” President of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish. His father and family were killed in the Holocaust.
“Putin has the gall and to claim he’s de-Nazifying Ukraine. Biden stated that it was a fabrication. It’s just cynical. He is aware of that, and it’s also absurd.”
Biden tried to link the invasion to the history of oppression in the Soviet Union, which included the post-World War II military operations that were used to crush pro-democracy movements, such as those in Hungary, Poland, and what was then Czechoslovakia.
Moscow claims that the NATO alliance of 27 members is increasingly a threat for Russian security. The president supported it. He pointed out that NATO had been working for months through diplomatic channels in an effort to stop Russia’s invasion.
The war in Afghanistan has caused the U.S. military to expand its presence in Poland and Eastern Europe. Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland are now looking at joining NATO.
Biden stated that the Kremlin wanted to portray NATO enlargement in Russia as an imperial project. “NATO is a defense alliance that has never sought Russia’s demise.”
Biden met with the refugees at the National Stadium and marveled at their resilience in the wake of Russia’s devastating invasion. He hugged children and mothers and promised to continue supporting the West.
Biden listened attentively as the children told him about their perilous flight to Ukraine. Biden smiled broadly and lifted a little girl wearing a pink coat to tell her he was reminded of his grandchildren.
During the stop at the soccer field, the president held hands and gave hugs to parents. This is where refugees can go to get a Polish identification number which gives them access to social services like schools and health care.
Biden was told by some of the children and women that they fled with their fathers, who were men of fighting age. They had to stay behind to support the resistance against Putin’s forces.
After his talks with refugees at the stadium, Biden said that he was always amazed by the strength and depth of the human spirit. The stadium had previously been a field hospital for COVID-19 victims. “Each of those children said something along the lines of, “Say a Prayer for my Dad or Grandfather or my Brother who is out there fighting.”
As a NATO ally, the president acknowledged that Poland was the one who had to bear the brunt of the refugee crisis resulting from the war, he spent some time reassuring Poland.
Biden said to Andrzej Duba, the president of Poland, “Your freedom is ours.” This was echoing one unofficial motto for that country.
Since the war started, more than 3.7 million people fled Ukraine. More than 2.2 million Ukrainians crossed into Poland. However, it is not clear how many of them have remained and how many have fled to other countries. The U.S. had announced earlier this week that it would accept as many as 100,000 refugees. Biden said to Duda that while he understands that Poland is “taking on a huge responsibility”, but that it should also be NATO’s responsibility.
Biden called NATO’s “collective defense” agreement a “sacred obligation,” and stated that the Western military alliance is of paramount importance.
Biden stated, “I am confident that Vladimir Putin was counting upon dividing NATO.” He hasn’t been capable of doing it. “We’ve all stayed together.”
The most severe test of European security since World War II is upon it. The past week has seen Western leaders discussing contingency plans for the event of a conflict. The invasion has shaken NATO and cast a shadow over Europe.
There is no clear way to end the conflict. Russian officials suggested that they would focus their invasion on Donbas, an area in eastern Ukraine. Biden, however, told reporters when asked if the Kremlin had altered its strategy.
