“Throughout our history we have learned this lesson: when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And the costs and threats to America and the world continue to rise. ” These are the words that President Biden used last night in his first State of the Union address, in order to unite and mobilize the US and the whole world, against the aggression launched by rival Putin in Ukraine.
Russia, Putin’s loneliness abandoned by the allies
by Gianni Vernetti
The head of the White House planned to use the speech to revive his mandate, as the average of popularity polls dropped to around 40%. He wanted to draw attention to the fact that the Covid pandemic is holding back, and outline his plans to stop inflation and restart economic growth on a more inclusive basis, approving piece by piece the blocked “Build Back Better” plan. in Congress. The siege of Kiev, however, forced him to change his plans, starting with the choice of inviting the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, among his guests of honor.
In the late morning he had talked to his colleague from Kiev Zelensky, locked in the bunker from where he continues to lead the attacked country. He promised him to continue the military, economic and humanitarian aid, and the sanctions that are making the invasion of Moscow pay dearly, but he rejected the request to declare a “no fly zone” over the skies of Ukraine, because it would mean involving American pilots in war operations with the risk of provoking a direct conflict between the US and Russia.
A few hours later Biden went to Congress, meeting for the first time without the obligation to use the mask against Covid, launching his appeal for unity: “This is why NATO was created, to guarantee peace and stability in Europe after the Second World War. The US is a member along with 29 other nations. And American diplomacy matters. Putin’s war was premeditated and unprovoked. He refused the negotiation efforts. He thought that the West and NATO would not respond. And he thought he could split us up here, at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready ».
The reasons for the Ukraine-Russia conflict and what happens in the Donbass
by Enrico Franceschini
Immediately after, the president moved on to domestic issues, which are fundamental for rebuilding the internal unity necessary to face Putin: «We have a choice. One way to fight inflation is to lower wages and make Americans poorer. I have a better plan. Reduce costs, not wages. Produce more automobiles and semiconductors in America. More infrastructure and innovation. More goods moving faster and cheaper. More jobs where you can make a living. And, instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s do it in America. ” So he concluded: «Economists call it ‘increasing the productive capacity of our economy’. I call it building a better America. My plan to fight inflation will lower your costs and lower the deficit ”.