Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to shake the foundations of the free world six days ago, but “reckoned badly” for hitting a wall he did not expect to meet the Ukrainian people, said US President Joe Biden in front of two congressional houses in local time – in his annual evaluation speech on the state of the union on Tuesday.
“Putin’s war was premeditated and unjustified. He rejected diplomatic efforts. He thought the West and NATO would not respond and he thought he could divide us. But he was wrong because we were ready. ” Said the President.
Biden has announced that, following the example of Canada and European Union countries, Russian airlines will be banned from U.S. airspace. “Together with our allies, we will close U.S. airspace in front of all Russian flights, continuing to isolate Russia and causing further hardship for their economy,” the president said.
The speech on the state of the Union has traditionally been a dignified event in American politics. In such cases, the President will report to the two houses of Congress on the situation in the country and the main elements of his expected policy to the elected politicians and the nation. The U.S. Constitution states that the President shall “from time to time inform Congress of the state of the Union and recommend to them such measures as he considers necessary and expedient.”
Biden stated that:
the United States is “chasing” Russian oligarchs in support of Vladimir Putin. “Tonight I am telling the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have built billions of dollars out of this violent regime not to continue.”
The president said a special working group from the U.S. Department of Justice would investigate “the sins of the Russian oligarchs”. “We are working with our European allies to find and book their yachts, luxury homes, and private jets,” Biden added.
The president said the United States remained united and united with other freedom-loving nations. Biden also spoke of the “free world holding Russia accountable” for its actions. To reassure Americans worried about the war, the president said, “I know the news of the events may seem alarming to all Americans, but I want them to know we’ll be fine.”
Biden reiterated that
the United States will not deploy troops to Ukraine. “Let me make it clear that our forces are not and will not be involved in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine.”
Biden said, adding that they had deployed U.S. troops to Europe to protect their NATO allies, “should Putin decide to move further west.”
Biden also spoke about the bipartisan $ 1.2 billion infrastructure bill passed last year and thanked Democrats and Republicans for their support. According to Biden, bypassing the law, “they have invested in rebuilding America.”
The president has said he wants to fight inflation not by cutting American wages but by cutting production costs. This, he said, will lead to “more production, more jobs” and so the United States will not have to rely on foreign supply chains.
Biden also talked about the country reaching a “new moment” in the fight against the coronavirus when the virus “no longer controls our lives”. The president pointed out that the number of serious illnesses caused by Covid-19 had “dropped to levels not seen since July last year”, but the fight against the virus must continue.
“It’s time for America to get back to work and refill our great downtowns with people,” Biden said, saying that from now on, people who have been working from home so far can feel safe and “start returning to their office”.
The president also spoke about Ketanji Brown Jackson, who he called a “consensus builder,” for the U.S. Supreme Court’s vacancy in the summer. Biden said of the judge, “One of the best legal minds in our nation to continue Judge Breyer’s excellent legacy.” If her candidacy is voted on after a Senate hearing, Brown Jackson could be the first African-American female judge in the U.S. Supreme Court. The President, in keeping with tradition, concluded by saying ‘The Union is strong’.
MTI
