With his short visit to Kiev, US President Biden pulls off a coup. The day after he is a guest in Poland. At the Warsaw Royal Castle, he explains to people why this war is about more than Ukraine.
If anyone had any doubts about US President Joe Biden's determination to help Ukraine, they should be dispelled after his early-evening speech in Warsaw. At least the American tried to show against the backdrop of the royal castle with simple words full of pathos that no sheet of paper fits between the Americans, the Ukrainians and the Poles. "Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia - never!" he shouted at the people. "There should be no doubt: our support for Ukraine will not wane, NATO will not be divided and we will not tire."
Biden had already given an even bigger signal the day before. His visit to Kiev with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was spectacular and, shortly before the anniversary of the Russian attack on February 24, 2022, a strong sign of unity. Although the visit to Warsaw was the official reason for Biden to cross the Atlantic, it could only be overshadowed by the trip to Kiev. In Warsaw, as expected, Biden referred to the visit. "A year ago the world feared that Kiev would fall. I just got back from there and I can report that Kiev is still standing."
Biden said what was expected of him: He unequivocally committed himself to Article 5 of the NATO treaty - the obligation to provide mutual assistance. "An attack on one is an attack on all," he called out to the crowd. Anything else would have been a surprise, but this commitment cannot be made often enough, especially in Eastern Central Europe. Not only many Poles, but also the people of the Baltic countries live with the fear that they could be the next victims if Russia prevails in Ukraine.
Biden brought no news with him. He said again that Ukraine would be supported "as long as it is necessary" but left open what a peace scenario might look like. During this visit, he was apparently primarily concerned with swearing in both the Poles and the Europeans for the next year after a year of war. "Don't let up now", that was his second message. He especially thanked the Poles for taking in 1.5 million refugees. Biden also underlined the successes: "In over 50 percent of the areas formerly occupied by the Russians, the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine proudly waves again."
The US President delivered the speech with typically American pathos and found simple and clear words. "A year ago, Europe, America and NATO were examined. Would we give an answer or would we look the other way? Would we be united or divided? (...) Would we stand up for people's right to live in freedom and democracy? A A year later, we know the answer. We did it." Biden made it clear that he currently sees no alternative to war: "The appetite of the autocrats cannot be appeased," he said. "You have to resist them."
Biden's speech not only comes the week of the anniversary of the Russian attack, but also at a difficult time in the war. Ukraine is running out of ammunition and men while Putin keeps throwing more troops at the front. Even if the Russian spring offensive has not yet produced any success, it is once again a critical phase. How much longer can Ukraine hold out? Is she still getting the help she needs? In the Kremlin, they are speculating that this could soon be over. That war fatigue is spreading in the West and that Ukraine will be left to its fate. Biden wanted to counteract this. "Putin questions our conviction and our persistence," he said. "He doubts that NATO will remain united. NATO will not be divided and we will not tire," he promised.
Almost a year ago, Biden gave a speech in Warsaw. Back then, he had also unmistakably shown his determination not to abandon Ukraine's struggle. But he also caused a stir when he demanded that Putin not remain in office - and then had to make it clear that the United States was not seeking a regime change in Moscow. Biden didn't say anything like that this time. As at the end of March 2022, he addressed the floor to the Russians themselves. Millions of them just wanted to live in peace, they were not enemies.
It was remarkable that Biden was now traveling to Poland again - so far he has only been in Germany for the G7 summit at Schloss Elmau. But Poland shares a border with Ukraine, has once again taken in significantly more refugees than Germany and is particularly resolute on the side of the USA. They are among the Americans' most loyal allies. In this respect, the location was well chosen. In Poland, the way Biden thanked the people there for their efforts was particularly noticeable. He even shouted "I love you" to the Polish president's wife after he had appreciated her commitment to refugees.
This speech was also a long-distance duel with Putin, who also spoke earlier in the morning - the Russian president claimed that the West started the war. Biden now attacked Putin for bombing hospitals, schools, trains or orphanages. "Putin can end the war with one word," Biden said. He quoted Zelenskyy as saying that the world in which our children and grandchildren live is decided in Ukraine. "He didn't just mean the children of Ukraine. He meant all the children," Biden said. And thus made the assistance almost a mandatory task. But the question is whether future US administrations will see it the same way. A new president will be elected at the end of 2024. The great Putin friend Donald Trump is already warming up.
