US President Joe Biden on Monday reflected on his administration’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the success of two critical objectives: rallying global support for Ukraine and preventing a nuclear conflict.
Speaking during a foreign policy address that highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen the United States both domestically and globally, Biden said, “As I saw it, when Putin launched his invasion, I had two jobs: to rally the world to defend Ukraine and avoid war between two nuclear powers. We did both.”
The President noted that his administration also laid a foundation for the incoming Trump administration to continue supporting Ukraine and ensuring its resilience. “We’ve laid the foundation for the next administration to preserve a bright future for the Ukrainian people,” he said.
Biden underscored the progress made under his leadership, stating that America is now stronger, with reinforced alliances and diminished threats from adversaries. “Since Kamala [Harris] and I took office, our nation has become stronger at home and in the world,” he asserted.
He highlighted advancements in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), specifically the increased defense spending by member nations. “Before I took office, 9 of our NATO allies were spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Now, 23 are,” Biden said. “Our alliances are stronger than they’ve been in decades, and NATO is bigger and more capable than ever.”
As Biden prepares to leave office, he reiterated that America’s global leadership and the collective strength of its alliances remain vital to addressing global challenges and safeguarding democracy.
