WE COULDN’T BE MORE PROUD OF YOU, AMERICA!

World Leadersip

The United States from the first hours of Russian assault on Ukraine stands by the victims. The most powerful superpower in the world, from the very beginning of the war, leaves no illusions that it is able to stand (in any corner of the globe) in defense of decency and the values that lay at its foundation, such as freedom and democracy. Russian aggressors attacked, hoping that the ties between Europe and the USA are too weak today, but they miscalculated – it turned out that the West turned out to be indivisible, and support for Ukraine unwavering. The US plays a leading role – along with the coalition of over 50 countries that they lead, they are the leader of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, thanks to which Ukraine has a chance to defend its territory and stop Russian imperialism. Together with its NATO allies, the US guarantees security and stability in the region. At the time of the hardest test from the end of the World War II, the USA proves that ties connecting it with Europe are unique and unbreakable, and that the free world can count on America. The US is the world leader of the free world followed by others.

During his stay in Warsaw, the President of the USA Joe Biden personally met with war refugees from Ukraine flocking to Poland.

Visit of the President of the USA Joe Biden in Poland (25-26 March 2022)

It’s been a month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Air Force One with the US President Joe Biden on board lands in Poland, in Rzeszów (a city located on the east of Poland, close to the border with Ukraine, strategic from the point of view of supplying military equipment to Ukraine and hosting refugees). The US President meets in Rzeszów- Jesionka with American soldiers of the US 82 nd Airborne Division stationed in Poland. „You represent 1% of the American people. You all chose to be here for your country, you are all volunteers. Each of you fulfills your duty so that the 99% – including myself – can sleep peacefully…We are in the middle of a struggle between democracy and oligarchy. This is an hour of testing, your generation is at a turning point…” – said the American leader.

In the evening of March 26, 2022, President Biden gave a speech at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The overriding theme was the message of NATO unity. Joe Biden emphasized the American readiness for collective defense, and he ensured extensive support of the USA for Ukraine in the fight with Russia. In his speech, the leader of the free world emphasized the United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The visit strengthened the perception of Poland as the most important partner on NATO’s eastern flank, also thanks to President Biden’s focus on the situation of refugees from Ukraine and the humanitarian aid provided to them by Poland. As Poles we are extremely grateful to the President for his visit to our country and the support shown for our region in such a difficult moment for all of us, including for the security guarantees given, among others, by Poland by the US as a part of NATO.

„…and earlier today, I visited your National Stadium, where thousands of Ukrainian refugees are now trying to anserw the toughest questions a human can ask: „My God, what’s going to happen to me? What’s going to happen to my family?”  

I saw tears in many of the mother’s eyes as I embraced tchem; their young children – their young children not sure whether to smile or cry. One little girl saind, „Mr. President” – she spoke a little English – „is my brother and my daddy – are they going to be okay? Will I see tchem again?” Without their husbands, their fathers, in many cases, their brothers and sisters who stayed back to fight for their country.  

I didn’t have to speak the language or understand the language to feel the emotion in their eyes, the way they gripped my hand, and little kids hung on to my leg, praying with a desperate hope that all this is temporary; apprehension that they may be perhaps forever away from their homes, almost with debilitating sadness that this is happening all over again… 

…But I was also struck by the generosity of the people of Warsaw – for that matter, all the Polish people – for the depths of their compassion, their willingness to reach out – opening their hearts… 

…But helping these refugees is not something Poland or any other nation should carry alone. All the world democracies have a responsibility to help. All of tchem. And the people of Ukraine can count on the United States to meet its responsibility…. 

…We will have a different future – a brighter future rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light, of decency and dignity, of freedom and possibilities… 

…God bless you all. And may God defend our freedom…” 

The President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in The Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland – march 26, 2022.

Visit of the President of the USA Joe Biden in Poland and Ukraine (Kyiv) 20-23 February 2023

On February 20-23, 2023, US President Joe Biden again visited Poland and (for the first time since the outbreak of war) the capital of Ukraine – Kiev.

Visit to Poland was not a secret (it had been announced for some time), but the visit to Ukraine was kept in secret until the last moment for security reasons. In Kiev, President Biden met with President Zelensky, and in Poland he gave a speech to Poles and took part in the extraordinary summit of NATO’s Bucharest Nine.

Joe Biden flew to Poland from where he went by train to Kiev (Ukraine), where he spent a few hours. The US President met there with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena, and laid flowers at the memorial to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. It was an unprecedented event, because for the first time in the history of the United States, the President of this country paid a visit to a country at war, in which American forces do not participate (and do not control the situation in the air above the space where the President appears). In his statement, Biden emphasized that the purpose of his visit was to strengthen support for Kiev. He marked that Putin made a mistake thinking that he would win the war of attrition, and that a coalition from the Atlantic to the Pacific was created to defend Ukraine. He also announced a new aid package for Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons and air defense radars. President Zelensky said that the visit brought Ukraine closer to victory. Joe Biden risked a lot going to Ukraine in person. The determination and bravery of the US President should be emphasized even more, as his presence in Kiev breathed new hope into the people fighting in Ukraine and strengthened the conviction that they are not alone in this fight – that the United States is standing with them.

Źródło: Zdjęcia dzięki uprzejmości The Presidential Office of Ukraine (https://www.president.gov.ua/) 

The next day, President Joe Biden delivered his historic speech in the gardens of Warsaw's Royal Castle. In it, he addressed the Poles directly (the speech was open – as the President himself emphasized, all Poles were invited). In his speech he referred to fundamental values – democracy, freedom, sovereignty, the protection of which in the current circumstances took on a completely new dimension. Joe Biden thanked the Poles as a Nation for their generosity and opening their hearts and homes to people who are fleeing Ukraine from war and occupation. He stressed that ensuring security in the region requires further support for Ukraine, and this requires Europe’s and NATO’s solidarity with Ukraine. The performance was historic in nature, as it took place in Warsaw, at the Royal Castle, which was completely destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, and later rebuilt. This symbol was to give hope that after the end of the war, many Ukrainian cities could also rise from the ashes and regain their former glory. For Poles, this visit was special for several reasons. First of all – for the first time in history, the President of the USA paid 2 visits to Poland in less than 12 months. Secondly, the presence of the US President in Poland on the eve of the anniversary of the outbreak of war beyond our eastern border was a strong signal sent to Moscow that the US would defend NATO territory in the event of a threat from the Russian regime. Last but not least, the most powerful man in the free world took the trouble personally to appreciate and thank the Poles for their efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. All this makes Poles extremely grateful to the President of the USA and the American Nation for their help and support.

„…One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv.  Well, I have just come from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report: Kyiv stands strong! Kyiv stands proud.  It stands tall.  And most important, it stands free…” 

…”When Russia invaded, it wasn’t just Ukraine being tested.  The whole world faced a test for the ages. 

Europe was being tested.  America was being tested.  NATO was being tested.  All democracies were being tested.  And the questions we faced were as simple as they were profound. 

Would we respond or would we look the other way?  Would we be strong or would we be weak?  Would be — we would — would we be — all of our allies — would be united or divided? 

One year later, we know the answer.  

We did respond.  We would be strong.  We would be united.   And the world would not look the other way. 

We also faced fundamental questions about the commitment to the most basic of principles.  Would we stand up for the sovereignty of nations?  Would we stand up for the right of people to live free from naked aggression?  Would we stand up for democracy? 

One year later, we know the answers.  

Yes, we would stand up for sovereignty.  And we did.  

Yes, we would stand up for the right of people to live free from aggression.  And we did.  

And we would stand up for democracy.  And we did.” 

„…But there should be no doubt: Our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire…” 

„…Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow, and forever.  For that’s what — that’s what’s at stake here: freedom…” 

“…No, you will not take my country.”  “No, you will not take my freedom.”  “No, you will not take my future.” 

„…free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness…” 

„…Extraordinary brutality from Russian forces and mercenaries.  They have committed depravities, crimes against humanity, without shame or compunction.  They’ve targeted civilians with death and destruction.  Used rape as a weapon of war.  Stolen Ukrainian children in an attempt to — in an attempt to steal Ukraine’s future.  Bombed train stations, maternity hospitals, schools, and orphanages. 

No one — no one can turn away their eyes from the atrocities Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people.  It’s abhorrent.  It’s abhorrent…” 

„…This war was never a necessity; it’s a tragedy.” 

„To all of you here tonight: Take a moment.  And I’m serious when I say this: Turn on and look — turn around and look at one another.  Look at what you’ve done so far. 

Poland is hosting more than 1.5 million refugees from this war.  God bless you.   

Poland’s generosity, your willingness to open your hearts and your homes, is extraordinary. 

And the American people are united in our resolve as well.” 

„…We stand with the millions of refugees of this war who have found a welcome in Europe and the United States, particularly here in Poland. 

Ordinary people all across Europe did whatever they could to help and continue to do so.  Polish businesses, civil society, cultural leaders — including the First Lady of Poland, who is here tonight — have led with the heart and determination, showcasing all that’s good about the human spirit.” 

„…I’ll never forget, last year, visiting with refugees from Ukraine who had just arrived in Warsaw, seeing their faces exhausted and afraid — holding their children so close, worrying they might never see their fathers, their husbands, their brothers or sisters again. 

In that darkest moment of their lives, you, the people of Poland, offered them safety and light.  You embraced them.  You literally embraced them.  I watched.  I watched the looks on their faces.” 

„…Freedom.  There is no sweeter word than freedom.  There is no nobler goal than freedom.  There is no higher aspiration than freedom. 

Americans know that, and you know it.  And all that we do now must be done so our children and grandchildren will know it as well. 

Freedom. 

The enemy of the tyrant and the hope of the brave and the truth of the ages. 

Freedom. 

Stand with us.  We will stand with you. 

Let us move forward with faith and conviction and with an abiding commitment to be allies not of darkness, but of light.  Not of oppression, but of liberation.  Not of captivity, but, yes, of freedom. 

May God bless you all.  May God protect our troops.  And may God bless the heroes of Ukraine and all those who defend freedom around the world. 

Thank you, Poland.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for what you’re doing.  God bless you all.”

The President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in The Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland – february 21 2023.