Joe Biden reiterated on Saturday that he does not intend to send American soldiers to Ukraine, while praising American leadership in the world, implicitly responding to accusations of weakness launched by his Republican opponent Donald Trump.
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“There are no American soldiers at war in Ukraine. I am determined to keep it that way, but we stand firmly with Ukraine, and we will stand with it,” the American president said, addressing the class of graduates of the prestigious West Point Military Academy, north of New York.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he called a “brutal tyrant,” “was certain that NATO would fracture” after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but “on the contrary, the largest defense alliance of world history is stronger than ever,” Mr. Biden said.
The United States has resumed its military aid to Ukraine after a pause of several months due to domestic political issues, in the midst of a Russian offensive in Kharkiv, in the northeast of the country.
He also praised the role of the United States in the Middle East on Saturday, noting that he was “engaged in emergency diplomacy” to try to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist movement since the attack on October 7, as well as to thwart Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel on April 13.
“Through America’s armed forces, we are doing what only America can do as an indispensable nation, the world’s only superpower,” he said.
The US president, who is campaigning for re-election in November, also urged young graduates to honor their oath, “not to a political party, not to a president, but to the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign and at home,” speaking of “guardians of American democracy.”
“Freedom is not free. It requires constant vigilance,” said the Democrat, who is campaigning on the threat posed by Donald Trump to American democracy.
