President Joe Biden took a tumble walking up the stairs of Air Force One leaving Poland. The video you can see below soon went viral across the world overshadowing Biden’s speech. Biden said in Poland:
“Hello, Poland. One of our great allies. President Duda, Prime Minister — Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Mayor, and to all the former ministers and presidents, as well as mayors and Polish political leaders from all across the country: Thank you for welcoming me back to Poland.
You know, it was nearly one year ago — (applause) — nearly one year ago I spoke at the Royal Castle here in Warsaw, just weeks after Vladimir Putin had unleashed his murderous assault on Ukraine.
The largest land war in Europe since World War Two had begun. And the principles that had been the cornerstone of peace, prosperity, and stability on this planet for more than 75 years were at risk of being shattered.
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! (Applause.) Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most important, it stands free. (Applause.)
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.
And yesterday, I had the honor to stand with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv to declare that we will keep standing up for these same things no matter what. (Applause.)
When President Putin ordered his tanks to roll into Ukraine, he thought we would roll over. He was wrong.
The Urai- — the Ukrainian people are too brave.
America, Europe, a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific — we were too unified.
Democracy was too strong.
Instead of an easy victory he perceived and predicted, Putin left with burnt-out tanks and Russia’s forces in delay — in disarray.
He thought he’d get the Findalization [Finlandization] of NATO. Instead, he got the NATOization of Finland— and Sweden.
He thought NATO would fracture and divide. Instead, NATO is more united and more unified than ever — than ever before.
He thought he could weaponize energy to crack your resolve — Europe’s resolve.
Instead, we’re working together to end Europe’s dependence on Russil [sic] fo- — Russian fossil fuels.
He thought autocrats like himself were tough and leaders of democracies were soft.
And then, he met the iron will of America and the nations everywhere that refused to accept a world governed by fear and force.
He found himself at war with a nation led by a man whose courage would be forged in fire and steel: President Zelenskyy.
President Putin — President Putin is confronted with something today that he didn’t think was possible a year ago. The democracies of the world have grown stronger, not weaker. But the autocrats of the world have grown weaker, not stronger.
Because in the mo- — moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, that knowing what you stand for is most important, and knowing who stands with you makes all the difference.
The people of Poland know that. You know that. In fact, you know — you know it better than anyone here in Poland. Because that’s what solidarity means.
Through partition and oppression, when the beautiful city was destroyed after the Warsaw Uprising, during decades under the iron fist of communist rule, Poland endured because you stood together.
That’s how the brave leaders of the opposition and the people of Belarus continue to fight for their democracy.
That’s how the resolve of Moldovan people resolve of the people of Moldova to live in freedom gained them independence and put them on the path to EU membership.
President Sandu is here today. I’m not sure where she is. But I’m proud to stand with you and the freedom-loving people of Moldova. Give her a round of applause.
One year in- — 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.
But there should be no doubt: Our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire,” Biden said.
