Thank you very much, Mr. President. No, it was it was one year ago this week, and we spoke on the telephone. Mr. President. It was very late in night in Washington. Early in the morning here in Kiev. Russian planes were in the air and tanks were rolling across your border. You told me that you could hear the explosions in the background. I’ll never forget that and the world was about to change. I remember it vividly because I asked to I asked you next. I asked you what is there, Mr. President, what can I do for you? How can I be of help? And I know they remember what you said to me, what you said, and I quote, gather the leaders of the world, ask them to support Ukraine. Gather the leaders of the world and ask them to support Ukraine. And you said you didn’t know when we would be able to speak again that dark night one year ago, the world was literally at the time bracing for the fall in Kyiv.
Seems like a lot longer ago than a year. But think back to that year, perhaps even the end of Ukraine. You know, one year later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands. Democracy stands The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you. Kyiv has captured a part of my heart, I must say, I’ve come here six times as vice president, once as president, and in 2009 as vice president. And I first came here, then back in 20, 14. I came three times in the aftermath of the revolution of dignity. And I again came in 2015 to address the Rada about the work of building a strong democracy and I came in 2017 just before I left office as Vice President I knew I’d be back, but I wanted to be sure, even though the election were over, Barack and I were out of office. I decided to make one more trip before the next president was sworn in to Kyiv.
So President Zelensky you deeply honor me here in key with you today to meet with your military, your intelligence, folks, your diplomatic teams, community leaders who have stepped up and helped their country in their hour of need is astounding. Who stood up? Everybody. Everybody. Women, young children. Try to do some of this, trying to do something pulling people out of apartments have been shelled. And literally, that I think, is a war crimes. It’s astounding in the whole world. The whole world sees it and looks at it. This is the largest land war in Europe in three quarters of a century. And you’re succeeding against all and every expectation except your own. We have every confidence that you’re going to continue to prevail and you know, from the moment I first received an intelligence report in the fall, about a year ago, we were focused on determining how do we rally the rest of the world. How do I help you with the promise you asked me to make, to rally the world? Well, how do you succeed?
How do you get a world to respond? To a prosperous economy, confident democracy, a secure and independent state? When united Americans of all political backgrounds decided they would step up American people, no matters. Unchecked aggression is a threat to all of us. We build a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific NATO’s to the land, the Atlantic, Japan and the Pacific. I mean, across the across the world. The number of nations that have over 50 help Ukraine defend itself. Unprecedented military, economic and humanitarian support. We united the leading economies of the world to impose unprecedented cost that are squeezing Russia’s economic lifelines. Together, we’ve committed nearly 700 tanks and thousands of armored vehicles, 1000 artillery systems, more than 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition, more than 50 advanced launch rocket systems and AI ship and air defense systems.
All defend you to defend Ukraine. And that doesn’t count the other half a billion dollars. We’re going to be we’re announcing with you today and tomorrow. That’s going to be coming your way. And that’s just the United States in this piece. And just today, that announcement includes artillery ammunition for high marks and Howitzers, more javelins and the armor systems, air surveillance radars to help protect Ukrainian people from aerial bombardment. Later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade sanctions and backfill Russia’s war machine. And thanks to bipartisan support in Congress this week, we’re delivering billions in direct budgetary support, billions in direct budgetary support, which the government can put to use immediately to help provide for basic services of citizens. The cost that Ukraine has had to bear has been extraordinarily high, and the sacrifices have been far too great. They’ve been met with them and far too great. We mourn alongside the families of those who’ve been lost to the brutal and unjust war. We know that there will be very difficult days and weeks and years ahead.
But Russia’s aim was to wipe Ukraine off the map Putin’s war conquest is failing Russia’s military has lost half its territory once occupied young town, and Russians are fleeing by the tens of thousands not wanting to come back to Russia. Not from not just fleeing from the military, fleeing from Russia itself. Because they see no future in their country. Russia’s economy is now a backwater, isolated, is struggling Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. As you know, Mr. President, I said to you in the beginning, he’s counting on us not sticking together. He was counting on an inability to keep NATO’s united Is counting on us not to be able to bring in others on the side of Ukraine. He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now. God knows what he’s thinking. I don’t think he’s thinking that he’s just been plain wrong. Plain wrong. And one year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand here together. Mr. President, I’m delighted to be able to repay your visit to our country in Washington. Not long ago, you told us, you told the Congress, quote, We have no fear nor should anyone in the world have it. And of, quote, you and all Ukrainians. Mr. President, remind the world every single day what the meaning of the word courage is. From all sectors, your economy, all walks of life. It’s astounding. Astounding Remind us of freedom is priceless. It’s worth fighting for, for as long as it takes. And that’s how long we’re going to be with you, Mr. President. For as long as it takes. We’ll do it. Thank you.
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