He was only 60 miles from Ukraine. He then met with humanitarian experts in the field to discuss how to alleviate the suffering.
Biden stated that he had hoped for a closer approach to the border, but security concerns prevented him from doing so. He said that he still wanted to visit Poland, to emphasize the importance of the assistance provided by Poland in the face of Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II.
Biden stated that the destruction in Ukraine is not slowing down. It’s almost like something from a science-fiction movie.
Biden also met with some of the U.S. soldiers stationed near Poland’s borders to aid in the humanitarian crisis and strengthen the U.S. military presence at the east flank of NATO. According to the United Nations, more than 3.5 million Ukrainians fled Ukraine since the February 24th invasion.
In a matter of days, the number refugees fleeing Ukraine from last month will surpass the number of Syrians forced from their homes during years of conflict following a 2011 uprising that turned into a full-scale civil war, according to Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
As Air Force One rolled past Patriot missile battery batteries, it was obvious that the United States military commitment to Poland was evident. At the airport, more hardware was available, including heavy trucks and equipment covered in dark green and brown camouflage. The U.S. Army’s 882nd Airborne Division is based at a nearby convention center.
Biden was joined by Andrzej Duda, the Polish President, for a briefing with humanitarian specialists.
Duda thanked Biden through an interpreter for his support. He stated that the Ukrainians he is receiving are their “guests” and that the Poles view them as such.
Duda stated, “This is the name that we want to apply for them.” We don’t want to call them refugees. They are our friends, our brothers, and our neighbors from Ukraine who are currently in a very difficult position.”
Biden made his first stop with the 82nd Airborne troops at a barbershop and dining establishment where he invited himself and others to share a pizza. The Americans are supporting the Polish troops.
He shared a story about Beau Biden’s death with the troops. Beau was in Baghdad at the time and went by his mother’s maiden to avoid being noticed. Jokingly, the president mocked one soldier about his short haircut. He also praised the troops.
Biden said, “You are the best fighting force in the entire world. That’s not hyperbole. Biden said.
Later, he addressed a group soldiers with more formal remarks. He said that the nation “owes” them big and also used the words of Madeleine Albright, the former Secretary of State to emphasize their importance in this fragile time for the U.S.A. and its European allies.
“The secretary-of-state used to have a phrase. Biden said to her, “We are the essential nation.” “I don’t want to sound philosophical, but you are in the middle of a battle between democracy and an oligarch.
Biden will visit Warsaw Saturday to continue talks with Duda, and other leaders. Biden had intended to meet him at the airport Friday morning, but a technical issue caused his flight delay.
Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, stated that Biden wanted to hear directly from American troops and humanitarian experts on the situation in Afghanistan and “what additional steps must be taken to ensure that we’re investing” U.S. Dollars in the right places.
Biden spent Thursday lobbying U.S. allies against Russia and speculated that what he saw in Poland would “bolster my commitment to having the United States ensure we are a major part of dealing with all those people, as well as humanitarian aid needed both inside and outside Ukraine.”
After meeting with other world leaders in Brussels, Biden stated that he has visited many refugee camps and war zones during his political career. He said it was “devastating” to see children with no parents and men and women looking blankly at them wondering “My God! Where am I?” What’s the worst that could happen to me?
He stated that Germany, Poland, Romania, and Romania shouldn’t be left to manage the largest refugee crisis Europe has seen since World War II.
Biden stated that “this is an international responsibility” shortly after he announced additional $1 billion to aid Ukrainian refugees. Biden also stated that the United States would accept up to 100,000 refugees. According to the White House, most Ukrainian refugees will want to return home in the end.
Biden stated that the United States has an obligation to “engage and do all we possibly to alleviate the suffering and pain of innocent children and women” who cross the border.
He stated, “I intend to attempt to see those people… He said, “I hope I get to meet a lot of people.”
Interviews with refugees in Poland were conducted Friday at Przemysl’s train station. They expressed hope that they would one day return to Ukraine. They were also not optimistic about Biden’s visit.
Ira Satula, 32 from Kremenchug, stated that “For sure I don’t have any expectations” regarding Biden. Satula expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Poland and all the support.
Satula stated, “But home is home and I hope that we’ll get there soon.”
Olga Antonovna (68), from Chernigov said that it was really 50-50 that Biden would help enough.
She said, “I believe that we needed help long ago, long before.”
Sullivan stated that Biden would give a speech on Saturday about “the stakes and the urgency of the challenge ahead, and what the conflict in Ukraine means to the world.”