Biden: "Putin is wrong... Dictators must pay the price for aggression"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that his judgment on the invasion of Ukraine was wrong and that he must pay the price for his aggression. He warned that the response from the United States and Western allies, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), will be further strengthened and emphasized the need to stop the chaos.

According to excerpts of Biden’s speech distributed by the White House ahead of his State of the Union address on the 1st (local time), President Biden stressed regarding Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the setbacks in the battlefield, "Putin was wrong," and "We were prepared." Biden criticized, "His war was premeditated and unjustified," adding, "He thought the West and NATO would not respond significantly and hoped for our division, but he was wrong."

He continued, "History has taught us that if dictators do not pay the price for aggression, they cause more chaos," and stated, "They continue to act to create disorder, and the costs and threats to the United States and the world keep increasing. This is why the NATO alliance was created to ensure peace and stability in Europe after World War II." This is interpreted as a hint toward stronger Western sanctions and joint responses in the future.

Meanwhile, President Biden also addressed the high inflation issue in the United States. He said, "One way to fight prices is to lower wages and make Americans poorer, but I have a better plan," adding, "Reducing costs, producing more cars and semiconductors domestically, and faster and cheaper movement of more goods are important. Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make these things in the U.S."

He further emphasized, "Economists call this increasing the economy’s productive capacity, but I call it 'Building a Better America,'" and stressed, "My plan to fight inflation will reduce your costs and deficits."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.