Biden Praises ‘Unbroken’ Ukraine In Speech To Crowd Of 10,000 In Lithuania

by Ava LombardiJuly 13, 2023, 4:31 pmDaily Digest, News, News Feed >

To close out this week’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, President Joe Biden gave a powerful speech on Wednesday about the war in Ukraine, commending Ukranians for remaining “unbroken” throughout tumultuous times.

Biden spoke at Vilnius University, concluding two days’ worth of conversations with U.S. allies about Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for an hour before his remarks.

The president made comparisons between the war in Ukraine and Lithuania’s struggle to escape Soviet rule before the end of the Cold War.

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“You showed the world that the strength of people united cannot be denied. And together with your brothers and sisters in Estonia and Latvia, you helped end the era of division through the power of connection,” Biden told his audience of more than 10,000 people.

He continued to offer American support to Ukraine.

“We will not waiver,” said Biden. “I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”

NATO recently celebrated the admission of Sweden into the organization. Despite Ukraine’s pleas to join the alliance, many officials do not feel that the country is “ready for membership,” Biden included.

The president announced his controversial decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, arguing that it was the country’s only hope in fighting back against Russia.

“The frustration, I can only imagine,” said Biden in acknowledgment to Zelenskyy on Wednesday. “I know that you’re many times frustrated about whether things get to you quickly enough, what’s getting to you and how we’re getting it. But I promise you, the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.”

Biden arrived in Finland on Thursday morning, the final stop of his European tour. He met with the Finnish president to discuss Sweden’s NATO bid and reaffirmed their commitment to defend Ukraine.