Biden begins State of the Union with stark condemnation of Putin: ‘Freedom will always triumph over tyranny’
President Biden began his first State of the Union address with a display of solidarity for the Ukrainian people, receiving a bipartisan standing ovation as he called on members of Congress to stand in the House chamber in a show of support for Ukraine.
“In this struggle, President Zelensky said in his speech to the European Parliament, ‘Light will win over darkness.’ The Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States is here tonight sitting with the first lady,” Biden said.
He continued, “Let each of us here tonight in this Chamber if you’re able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world.”
He received a loud standing ovation from the members, many of whom wore blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. Ukraine Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova stood beside first lady Jill Biden as the chamber applauded, holding her country’s flag.
“We, the United States of America, stand with the Ukrainian people,” Biden said.
Biden later praised the people of Ukraine and Ukranian-Americans amid the ongoing crisis, which he conceded would “take time.”
“This is a real test. And it’s going to take time. So let us continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people. To our fellow Ukrainian-Americans who forged a deep bond that connects our two nations, we stand with you,” he said.
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- Ukraine President makes dramatic appeal to Russian citizens
