When Fox News questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the conversations he held with President Joe Biden and the support Ukraine received from the U.S., he had this to say: “It’s a pity it began after the beginning of this war, but we have it.”
Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst asked Zelensky, “You spoke this week with President Biden. How would you describe your conversations with the U.S. leader? Do you believe the Americans waited too long to give Ukraine the support you need to push back this Russian offensive?”
“We have good contact. I can tell you the truth,” Zelensky responded. “It’s a pity it began after the beginning of this war, but we have it. My appreciation to him and to his team. We can speak now often.”
In the midst of Tuesday’s State of the Union address, Biden ensured that the U.S. is in full support of Ukraine and assumes responsibility for unifying European nations and NATO in the fight against Russia.
“Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined. He met the Ukrainian people,” Biden stated. “From President Zelensky to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination literally inspires the world. Groups of citizens blocking tanks with their bodies. Everyone from students to retirees, to teachers turned soldiers defending their homeland. And in this struggle — President Zelensky said in his speech to the European Parliament, ‘Light will win over darkness.'”
“We are ready. We are united. And that’s what we did: We stayed united,” Biden continued later. “We prepared extensively and carefully. We spent months building coalitions of other freedom-loving nations in Europe and the Americas to — from America to the Asian and African continents to confront Putin. Like many of you, I spent countless hours unifying our European Allies.”
It seems quite ironic to hear Biden’s claims of assuming responsibility for unifying NATO and allied countries against the Russian opposition, as the United States came to play a part after the invasion began, not to mention that the response to the invasion was actually led by European nations and groups, with the U.S. following in tow.
For instance, Biden only imposed sanctions once Germany had already agreed to the proposition, when earlier on he had initially waived sanctions against the Russian-owned company behind the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
“Since Russia began deploying troops to the Ukrainian border, the United States has worked closely with our Allies and partners to deliver a strong, unified response. As I said when I met with Chancellor Scholz earlier this month, Germany has been a leader in that effort, and we have closely coordinated our efforts to stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia further invaded Ukraine,” Biden mentioned in a declaration.
“Yesterday, after further close consultations between our two governments, Germany announced that it would halt certification of the pipeline. Today, I have directed my administration to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its corporate officers. These steps are another piece of our initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. As I have made clear, we will not hesitate to take further steps if Russia continues to escalate,” the declaration proceeded.
