In his first State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Joe Biden slammed Russian dictator Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine, warning that more punishing measures against Moscow are on the table.
In his speech, the U.S. President tackled the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, projecting unity among U.S. lawmakers and allies abroad and sent a direct message to Putin declaring that “freedom will always prevail against tyranny.”
“Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the foundations of the free world thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated,” Biden said.
“Putin’s latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and totally unprovoked. He rejected repeated, repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. He thought he could divide at home, in this chamber, in this nation. He thought he could divide us in Europe as well,” Biden said. “Putin was wrong. We are ready. We are united.”
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Biden also announced that the US will ban Russian aircraft from American airspace, joining the European Union and Canada in taking such a step, and highlighted a move by the U.S. and 30 countries to release 60 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to address energy price spikes driven by the conflict.
“We stand ready to do more as necessary, united with our allies,” Biden said. “I want you to know, we’re going to be OK.”
“When the history of this era is written, Putin’s war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger,” Biden said.
The president then pivoted to the domestic agenda, rebutting Republican criticism in the days leading up to the address that Biden had set the economy back, pointing to record-high inflation.
Biden touted the 6.5 million in jobs gains last year and highlighted the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law last fall, announcing plans to start fixing 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in need of repair this year as the law is implemented.
The president also announced a rebrand of his Build Back Better proposal as his plan to “build a better America.” He reframed his economic plan as a way to fight inflation, calling on Congress to act to reduce prescription drug costs, cut energy costs by investing in climate-friendly technologies, and reduce child care costs.
“Let’s get this done,” Biden said. “We all know we got to make changes.”
During the address, Biden made a fresh but familiar appeal for unity, calling on Democrats and Republicans not to see one another as “enemies” but as “fellow Americans.”
“As hard as these times have been, I am more optimistic about America today than I have been my whole life,” Biden said.
Biden’s new approach to the virus marks a turning point for some Democrats who have been pessimistic about their chances in November.
Masks were not required in the chamber, and most lawmakers went maskless in a bid to signal it was time to turn the page to a new phase of the pandemic.
“Last year, COVID-19 kept us apart. This year, we’re finally together again,” Biden said after he entered the chamber without a face covering.
Biden credited widespread vaccinations, the availability of booster shots and treatments, and more widely accessible testing as reasons for optimism that the nation can safely return to normal.
