English Section

'I’m traveling to Europe to meet with our allies and partners': Biden

23.03.2022 09:30
US President Joe Biden has said he is traveling to Europe to meet with allies and partners a month after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Audio
  • 'I’m traveling to Europe to meet with our allies and partners': Biden
Joe Biden
Joe BidenPAP/EPA/Oliver Contreras / POOL

"Tomorrow, I’m traveling to Europe to meet with our allies and partners exactly one month after Putin accelerated his brutal war in Ukraine," Biden tweeted on Tuesday.

"My first stop is Belgium where I’ll meet with our NATO Allies, G7 Leaders, and European Union Leaders to discuss our efforts to support Ukraine and impose severe costs on Russia for its invasion," he said.

'I’ll travel to Poland'

He added: "Then I’ll travel to Poland to hold a bilateral meeting with President Andrzej Duda. I look forward to discussing our response to the humanitarian and human rights crisis Russia has created in Ukraine."

Biden also tweeted: "On this trip we will make clear that the West is united in our defense of democracy. Putin thought he would divide us, but we are stronger than at any time in recent history. We stand with Ukraine and we will continue to ensure Putin pays a heavy economic price for his actions."

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday that, in addition to holding a bilateral meeting with Duda, Biden would engage with US troops helping to defend NATO territory and discuss efforts to respond to a refugee crisis when he travels to Poland later this week.

Earlier White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that Biden would thank Poland for welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees from war-torn Ukraine when he visits Warsaw this week.

Poland on Wednesday said it had taken in nearly 2.18 million refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Polish president this month signed into law a measure to offer wide-ranging support to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion of their country, which began on February 24.

The measure grants them legal residence in Poland and ensures access to educationhealthcare and social benefits.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAPwhitehouse.gov