"One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv," Biden said in his address in the Polish capital nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine.
'Kyiv stands strong'
"Well, I’ve just come from a visit to Kyiv and I can report Kyiv stands strong," he added. "Kyiv stands proud, it stands tall and most important, it stands free."
“When Russia invaded, it was not just Ukraine being tested,” he told those gathered in the gardens of the Royal Castle in the Polish capital.
“The whole world faced a test for the ages. Europe was being tested. America was being tested. NATO was being tested.”
'Our support for Ukraine will not waver'
Biden continued: "One year into this war, Putin no longer doubts the strength of our coalition. But he still doubts our conviction. He doubts our staying power. He doubts our continued support for Ukraine. He doubts whether NATO can remain unified."
He declared: "But there should be no doubt: Our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire."
He also said that Putin’s "craven lust for land and power will fail" and "the Ukrainian people’s love for their country will prevail."
He added: "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."
'Autocrats only understand one word: No'
Biden told the crowd in Warsaw: “Autocrats only understand one word: No. No, no. No, you will not take my country. No, you will not take my freedom. No, you will not take my future."
“Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never,” he said to applause from some 30,000 onlookers waving Polish, US and Ukrainian flags.
'Crimes against humanity'
In his speech in the Polish capital, Biden denounced "extraordinary brutality from Russian forces and mercenaries" in Ukraine.
"They have committed depravities, crimes against humanity, without shame or compunction," he said. "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."
He stated emphatically: "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."
He vowed: "We’ll hold accountable those who are responsible for this war. And we will seek justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity continuing to be committed by the Russians."
'Poland’s generosity is extraordinary'
Biden lauded Poland for helping refugees from the Ukraine war.
"Poland is hosting more than 1.5 million refugees from this war," he said. "God bless you."
He told the crowd: "Poland’s generosity, your willingness to open your hearts and your homes, is extraordinary."
'A sacred oath to defend every inch of NATO territory'
Biden also said in Warsaw on Tuesday that the United States would host a NATO summit next year to mark 75 years since the Western military alliance was established.
"Next year, I will host every member of NATO for our 2024 summit in the United States," he announced. "Together, we’ll celebrate the 75th anniversary of the strongest defensive alliance in the history of the world — NATO."
"Let there be no doubt, the commitment of the United States to our NATO alliance and Article 5 is rock solid," Biden declared in his speech, referring to NATO's Article 5 guarantee of mutual defence between member states.
"Every member of NATO knows it," he added. "And Russia knows it as well: an attack against one is an attack against all. It’s a sacred oath. A sacred oath to defend every inch of NATO territory."
US President Joe Biden in Warsaw: "Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia." Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak
'US needs Poland and NATO as much as NATO needs US'
Earlier on Tuesday, Biden praised his country's relationship with Poland, saying that Warsaw was a critical NATO ally for Washington as Moscow waged war against Kyiv.
During a two-day visit to Warsaw, Biden reassured Polish leaders that NATO's "pledge of security" was an "ironclad commitment" amid Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.
"The United States needs Poland and NATO as much as NATO needs the United States," Biden said during a meeting with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda at the presidential palace in Warsaw.
He also thanked Poland for its support of Ukraine. "It is just incredible the way you’ve welcomed 1.6, 1.7 million Ukrainians," he said.
While in Poland, Biden is expected to attend a summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) group of eastern-flank NATO allies on Wednesday.
During his visit, Biden will also hold talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and meet with US embassy staff, according to the White House.
Surprise trip to Kyiv
Biden arrived in Warsaw late on Monday for a busy two-day trip including talks with the Polish head of state and a meeting with NATO allies to discuss the West's response to Russia’s nearly year-old invasion of Ukraine.
He landed at Warsaw's Chopin Airport at around 11:15 p.m. on Monday after earlier making a surprise trip by train to war-torn Ukraine, news outlets reported.
His unannounced visit to Kyiv was intended as a show of US support for Ukraine as it battles Russia's invasion, according to officials.
While in Kyiv, the US president met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and promised USD 500 million worth of new military aid to Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Tuesday marked the 363rd day of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, CNN, whitehouse.gov