The world is at an “inflection point” because now there is a battle between the world’s democracies and autocracies, US President Joe Biden said in an address to the nation. The American leader emphasized the need for further support of Ukraine in the fight against Russia and solidarity with Israel in its response to the attack by the Hamas group.
“We’re facing an inflection point in history. One of those moments where the decisions we make today are going to determine the future for decades to come. … History has taught us that when terrorists don’t pay a price for their terror, when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death,” US President said.
The US president drew a parallel between Putin’s terrorist regime and Hamas terrorists.
“Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common. They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy – completely annihilate it. Hamas’ stated purpose for existing is the destruction of the state of Israel and the murder of Jewish people. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people. Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields, and innocent Palestinian families are suffering greatly because of them. Meanwhile, Putin denies Ukraine has, or ever had, real statehood. He claims the Soviet Union created Ukraine,” Biden explained.
In addition, the American leader promised to bring to justice Iran, which helps both Russia and Hamas.
“Iran is supporting Russia in Ukraine, and it’s supporting Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region. And we’ll continue to hold them accountable, I might add,” Biden said.
Supporting both wars in Israel and Ukraine is “vital for America’s national security”. In addition, aid to Ukraine helps create jobs in America, the president explained.
“Let me be clear about something. We send Ukraine equipment sitting in our stockpiles. And when we use the money allocated by Congress, we use it to replenish our own stores, our own stockpiles, with new equipment. Equipment that defends America and is made in America,” Biden said.
The President of the United States also appealed to Congress to be convinced of further support for Ukraine. “On Ukraine, I’m asking Congress to make sure we can continue to send Ukraine the weapons they need to defend themselves and their country without interruption, so Ukraine can stop Putin’s brutality in Ukraine. They are succeeding. When Putin invaded Ukraine, he thought he would take Kyiv and all of Ukraine in a matter of days. Well over a year later, Putin has failed, and he continues to fail. Kyiv still stands because the bravery of the Ukrainian people,” Biden said.
The American leader also said that despite “divisions at home,” Americans “can’t let petty, partisan, angry politics get in the way of our responsibilities as a great nation.”
“In moments like these, we have to remind — we have to remember who we are. We are the United States of America. The United States of America. And there is nothing, nothing beyond our capacity, if we do it together,” the US President concluded.
Cover: Jonathan Ernst/POOL via AFP via Getty Images
