Biden: ‘US Commitment to Ukraine’s Independence is Unwavering’

(The following is the text of the White House’s statement on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian Independence released today, August 24, 2023.)

Today, the people of Ukraine are once more marking their Independence Day, while suffering the all-out assault of Putin’s craven war for land and power. For eighteen months, Ukrainian families have lived under the daily threat of Russian rockets and the reality of brutal attacks. But the people of Ukraine have refused to break.

On this Independence Day, as they have since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, brave Ukrainian women and men are defending Ukraine from assaults on fundamental principles essential to every nation on the planet – sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are showing the world once more that freedom is worth fighting for.

Independence means the freedom to choose your own future. It’s precious. Each year on July 4th, Americans celebrate our Independence Day as a time to remember the price we paid for our freedom and all the blessings that flow from it. So today, as Putin continues his brutal war to erase Ukraine’s independence and redraw the map of our world by force, Americans all across the country stand united with the people of Ukraine.

The United States will continue our work, together with partners all around the world, to support Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s aggression, to uphold the foundational principles of the UN Charter, and to help the Ukrainian people build the secure, prosperous, and independent future they deserve.

Our commitment to Ukraine’s independence is unwavering and enduring. That’s why the United States and other G7 nations issued a joint declaration in Lithuania last month pledging to help Ukraine maintain armed forces capable of deterring Russian aggression in years to come, a declaration which over 25 nations have now joined. Together with our partners in Europe, we are supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom now and we will help them over the long term.

We are also working with nations everywhere to hold Russian forces accountable for the war crimes and other atrocities they have committed in Ukraine. That includes the forcible removal of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. These children have been stolen from their parents and kept apart from their families. It’s unconscionable. And today, we are announcing new sanctions to hold those responsible for these forced transfers and deportations to account, and to demand that Ukrainian children be returned to their families.

I sincerely hope that next year, Ukrainians will be able to celebrate their Independence Day in peace and safety, knowing how their extraordinary courage inspired the world. May Ukraine’s Independence Day be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere.

https://ua.usembassy.gov/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-ukraine-independence-day/

Biden Seeks $21 Billion for Ukraine; Polish President Says Helping Ukraine Now won’t Cost American Lives

Despite growing opposition to America’s continued support for Ukraine as it battles russian invaders in this predestined existential war, President Biden on Thursday asked Congress to provide more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support through the end of the year, which constitutes another massive infusion of cash as the bloody russian invasion wears on for 18 months and Ukraine pushes a counteroffensive against the kremlin’s deeply entrenched forces.

A political abyss on the issue has steadily grown, with the Republican-led House facing enormous pressure to demonstrate support for the party’s leader, Donald Trump and other right wingers, who have opposed helping Ukraine in the war. And American support for the effort has been slowly softening.

White House budget director Shalanda Young, in a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, urged swift action to follow through on the U.S. “commitment to the Ukrainian peoples’ defense of their homeland and to democracy around the world” as well as other needs. Additionally, the White House is seeking to put credence on the President’s commitment to will help Ukraine “as long as it takes” to oust Russia from its borders. However, privately, according to the Associated Press, administration officials have warned Ukrainian officials that there is a limit to the patience of a narrowly divided Congress — and American public — for the costs of a war with no clear end.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), said in a statement there was strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate.

“The latest request from the Biden administration shows America’s continued commitment to helping Americans here at home and our friends abroad,” he said. “We hope to join with our Republican colleagues this fall to avert an unnecessary government shutdown and fund this critical emergency supplemental request.”

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has championed of support for Ukraine, was more subdued.

“I look forward to carefully reviewing the Administration’s request to make sure it is necessary and appropriate,” McConnell said in a statement, “to keep America safe, secure our borders, support our allies, and help communities rebuild after disasters.”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement urging Congress to swiftly pass critical funding for disaster relief programs while separately considering military aid for Ukraine.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby juxtaposed the dollar cost of supporting Ukraine against russian subjugation of the entire country, stating “For people who might be concerned the costs are getting too high, we’d ask them what the costs — not just in treasure but in blood, perhaps even American blood — could be if Putin subjugates Ukraine.”

The U.S. has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to russia’s invasion, totaling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishment of U.S. military equipment that was sent to the frontlines. Congress approved the latest round of aid in December, totaling roughly $45 billion for Ukraine and NATO allies. While the package was designed to last through the end of the fiscal year in September, much depends upon events on the ground.

“We remain confident that we’ll be able to continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” said Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

On the other side of the world, among the former captive nations of russian subjugation, support for Ukraine is very strong. The countries of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States are adamant about the need for Ukraine’s victory and are providing it with a variety of arms and equipment. Furthermore, due to the mobilization of belarusian troops on its western border, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have responded by stepping up their security forces deployment.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Polish President Andrzej Duda said American elected officials that are opposed to helping Ukraine defeat russian aggression fail to understand the genuine threat of renewed russian imperialism.

“It is very simple,” Duda told The Post’s Marc A. Thiessen. “Right now, Russian imperialism can be stopped cheaply, because American soldiers are not dying.” But if we don’t put a halt to Russian aggression now, “there will be a very high price to be paid.”

Duda reminded that Poles have experienced 600 years of Russian efforts to subjugate them and their neighbors. In the 18th century, Russia helped partition Poland, wiping it off the map for 123 years. In 1920, the Bolsheviks attacked “in the hope of spreading communism across the whole of Europe” but were stopped by Polish forces in the Battle of Warsaw. In 1939, the Soviets attacked again alongside Nazi Germany and “Stalin seized half of Poland, bringing it under Soviet occupation” — until Hitler turned on his Soviet allies. Then in 1945, the Red Army retook Poland and “pushed the German occupiers out only to replace them with their own occupation,” resulting in “an additional 44 years behind the Iron Curtain.”

Thiessen continued that now, Duda says, we are witnessing a “resurgence of Russian imperialism” — starting with Moscow’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, its 2014 attack on Ukraine, its full-scale invasion last year — and its “repeated threats directed at the Baltic states, Poland and all of Central Europe.” Vladimir Putin and his cronies “are dreaming of power of the tsars and the restoration of czarist territory.” We must stop russia’s advance in Ukraine now “so that it does not come to pass, as it did in World War I and World War II, that American soldiers have to shed their blood and to lose their lives in Europe to restore peace and liberty to the world.”

Despite the growing winds of opposition, Theissen wrote that Duda’s bold support for Ukraine is politically courageous. However, he didn’t state it, this bold support is echoed in the capitals of the Baltic States. Theissen stated “unfortunately, in the United States, most of the leading Republican presidential candidates are not showing similar courage. Is Duda worried what will happen to American support for Ukraine if Republicans win in 2024?

“No,” Duda told him, “I have no doubt that the United States understands perfectly the threat posed by russian imperialism.”

“And it is my profound belief that the United States also understands how important it is to make sure that democracy does not disappear from Central Europe. Everyone knows that where russia is, there is no democracy.”

Indeed, and the leaders and peoples of Eastern Europe know well that if Ukraine fails, if Ukraine is defeated by russia, then they too will fail and russia will occupy them again and restore the iron curtain. Is that the world that the Republicans and right wingers are supporting?

Christianity of Kyivan-Rus enrages muscovy/russia

Today, Ukrainians the world over are observing the 1035th anniversary of the Christianity of Kyivan-Rus. It is simultaneously an historic and joyous commemoration for all Ukrainians everywhere as they attest their – and only theirs – ancient spiritual and national legacy.

However, russians have striven to steal both from our nation. They have sought to demonstrate not only the similarity of Ukrainians and russians but also threatened to forcibly unite the nations and countries thus erasing Ukrainians from humanity’s memory.

Indeed, in the July 29, 2013, edition of The Torn Curtain 1991 newsletter, I forecast that Putin’s arm twisting of Ukrainian leaders at that commemorative event in Kyiv would ultimately lead to Russia’s violent attempt to rebuild the torn iron curtain one way or another.

Taking advantage of the observance of the 1025th anniversary of the Christianity of Kyivan-Rus, when the territory of today's muscovy was a frog-infested swamp, putin visited Ukraine and drove his point about re-unification with russia.

Amid a host of religious, predominantly Orthodox spiritual leaders, putin on Saturday, July 27, 2013, urged Ukraine to join forces with russia, its colonial overlord, saying russians and Ukrainians were “one people” – his ongoing moronic expression.

Undoubtedly, his words angered Ukrainians in Ukraine and beyond, who do not feel that russians and Ukrainians are one. Furthermore, his remarks seem to confirm observations by Ukrainian and other officials, congressmen and pundits that putin is doing everything in his power to resurrect the russian empire and restore the iron curtain. For confirmation, just read today’s headlines.

Ten years ago putin urged the two majority Orthodox neighbors to further integrate economically.

“Intense competition is going on now in global markets, for global markets," putin said after talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. “Only by joining forces can we be competitive and win in this rather tough competitive fight. We have every reason to believe that we can and must do it.”

However, he cynically added that russia would “respect whatever choice the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian state will make.”

As well as promoting economic ties, putin stressed the bonds between both countries forged by a common history and what he called russia and Ukraine’s “spiritual unity.”

“Together we went through great trials, tribulations and tragedies, together we built and defended the Great Rus,” putin said following a meeting with Ukraine’s top Orthodox clergy.

“All of us are spiritual successors of what happened here 1025 years ago. And in this sense we are certainly one people.”

If you had even the slightest doubt about russia’s intentions or even considered putin to be a pretty upright fellow, then his arm twisting in Ukraine then and invasion of Ukraine today should reaffirm the russian people’s recidivist treacherous side. The goal remains the same: invade and subjugate Ukraine, annihilate the Ukrainian nation and destroy its cultural legacy.

Nothing smacks of a restoration of the russian prison of nations and the iron curtain more than putin’s remarks over the years. Today’s russian war against Ukraine has merely added actions to words and reinforced moscow’s millennial intentions.

As in the past, so too in the future, we’ll be asked, what did you do to oppose russian expansion?

Life Imitating Art or russian & nazi terrorists never change

For those who can’t understand the latest iteration russia’s war against Ukraine, I found easy-to-comprehend clarity about the untold russian crimes against humanity committed against not only the Ukrainian nation but also the 1,000-year legacy that went into creating Ukrainians.

Every morsel of what it means to be Ukrainian. Every letter. Every word. Every book, poem and play, every artwork, painting and statue, musical note and composition. Every idea, invention, structure and edifice, achievement of a Ukrainian or all Ukrainians.

Since time immemorial and especially in the past 17 months muscovites/russians regardless of the flag atop the kremlin have endeavored not only to annihilate Ukrainians but also their creations that have attested to where they came from, where they are and where they hope to go.

We witnessed entire families mercilessly killed by russian cutthroats in uniforms. We’ve also seen them destroy museums, churches, historical books and literature, and artworks. The other day we saw the ruins of a historic sobor in Odesa that was struck by a russian missile. That Ukrainian house of worship was destroyed by stalin, later rebuilt and now destroyed by putin – leaders of the same murderous people.

Consequently, once Ukraine will defeat Russia and ensure its eternal entombment, Ukrainians must begin the task of rebuilding not only the farmlands and urban infrastructure, but also recreate as much as possible all aspects of their heritage, their culture. 

Why? The russians led by their demented putin wanted to erase Ukrainians and their memory from humanity’s memory.

Here’s how a comparable tragic situation was summarized by George Clooney’s character Lt. Frank Stokes in the 2014 movie The Monuments Men, a movie about a six-man Allied squad that was tasked to locate classical artworks stolen and hidden by the nazis: “You can wipe out an entire generation, you can burn their homes to the ground and somehow they'll still find their way back. But if you destroy their history, you destroy their achievements and it’s as if they never existed. That’s what Hitler wants and that’s exactly what we are fighting for.”

That’s what putin wants and that’s exactly what we, Ukrainians and the free world are fighting for.

US Lawmakers & UN Sec-Gen Condemn russia’s attacks on Odesa

With russia’s latest inhuman twist in its 17-month war against Ukraine that now focuses on food, US lawmakers and the UN Secretary-General have loudly condemned its heartless strategy.

Earlier this week moscow abrogated its participation in the grain accord that allowed Ukraine to safely export grain from its Black Sea ports to waiting markets around the world. The kremlin now considers the southern coast of Ukraine its war zone. For the past three days it has mercilessly bombed civilian living quarters and loading docks in order to derail any seaborne exports of wheat and other grains derived from Ukrainian farms. Furthermore, russia warned that it would sink any vessel on the Black Sea steaming toward Odesa on the suspicion of it’s being a military ship. The Black Sea is now a military no man’s land. Food is as much a weapon in russia’s hands as are cluster bombs.

In addition to raining destruction on the maritime infrastructure, russian missiles have also destroyed living quarters and killed innocent civilians. As you’ve read here, there is no collateral damage in russia’s war against Ukraine because all civilian residences and civilians themselves are regarded as legitimate military targets by moscow.

The fear is that this latest cruel tactic of moscow will contribute not only to price spikes on food but also famine around the world.

Yesterday Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01), and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement on the Black Sea Grain Deal and attack on Odesa.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s callous decision to withdraw from the multilateral agreement allowing Ukrainian grain to continue being exported through the Black Sea,” said the co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “As the ‘breadbasket of Europe’ agriculture is fundamental to Ukraine’s economy and the global food supply. Russia’s reneging on an international agreement is yet another attempt to force Ukraine into submission. This decision will not only impact Ukraine but will leave millions around the world at heightened risk of hunger and even on the brink of starvation. Putin knows his decisions will have far reaching and deadly consequences and tragically, he does not care. Russia’s overnight attacks on the port city of Odesa demonstrates their intention to completely disrupt the flow of Ukrainian grain to the rest of the world, even if that requires attacking civilian infrastructure.”

Today Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General, issued this statement attributable to the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Ukraine:

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the Russian attacks against port facilities in Odesa, and other Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
“The attacks contradict the Russian Federation’s commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations, which states that ‘the Russian Federation will facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea ports.’
“The Secretary-General also recalls that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. 
“These attacks are also having an impact well beyond Ukraine. We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south.
“For his part, the Secretary-General will not relent in his efforts to ensure that Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer are available on international markets as part of his ongoing efforts to fight global hunger and ensure stable food prices for consumers everywhere.”

I hope that these statements, as beneficial as they are, will not be relegated to the “nice but who cares” category. The kremlin habitually disregards all public criticisms and denunciations of its heinous actions. Nonetheless, statements in support of Ukraine are needed.

Ukrainians Consider Cluster Bombs a Boon to their War Effort and Existence

Since the United States approved a couple of weeks ago sending Ukraine cluster bombs to help fight and defeat russian terrorists that have invaded Ukraine 17 months ago, the world has been appalled and panic stricken.

The reason is that this weapon can inflict collateral damage on civilians. What is collateral damage? According to the dictionary, it is injury inflicted on something other than an intended target; specifically: civilian casualties of a military operation.

If you’ve been following my blog then you’d know that in Ukraine there is no collateral damage. All of Ukraine is a legitimate target in the minds of putin, his commanders and their cutthroats. Soldiers, ammunition storages, tanks, civilians, children, apartment buildings, pizzerias, etc. are military targets for russian terrorists.

Consequently, Ukrainian civilians aren’t aghast by Washington’s decision supply their armed forces with cluster bombs. I asked a colleague, a writer and publisher in Lviv, which endured a direct hit by russian missiles on an apartment complex that killed at least a dozen civilians, his thoughts about the frenzy over cluster bombs. He replied:

“And why didn’t the world go crazy on February 24, 2022? Why didn’t it start going crazy in February 2014 (when Crimea was invaded and seized)?

“Russia has been widely using cluster bombs since last year. And how does the world react to this?

“By the way, in American cluster bombs, up to 2% do not go off after the explosion, which can later pose a danger. And up to 45% of russian cluster bombs don’t detonate! Is there a difference?

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine fire only on military targets. Not civilians. Unlike muscovites.

“Ukraine did not sign the convention on cluster munitions, which was adopted in May 2008 in Dublin, because it considers cluster munitions to be legal weapons. Ukraine will use cluster munitions only for the de-occupation of its territories within the borders of 1991, which are recognized in the international legal field. That is, the weapon can be used in the temporarily occupied territory, but will not be used for strikes on the territory of the russian federation. Ukraine commits not to use cluster munitions in cities, and will strike only in areas where russian troops are concentrated, in order to break through the enemy’s defense lines.

“Ukraine must win. Ukrainians have no other way out.”

Indeed, if Ukrainians do not fight and defeat russians, there will be no Ukraine and Ukrainians.

2023 Presidential Captive Nations Week Proclamation Cites War in Ukraine

The 2023 Presidential Captive Nations Week Proclamation, which US presidents are mandated to issue each July, cites the russian war against Ukraine as an example of a national battle for democracy and freedom.

The first such proclamation was authorized by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1959 in support of “the peoples of the Soviet-dominated nations have been deprived of their national independence and their individual liberties.”

This year, President Biden recognizes the “Ukrainian people’s courageous defense of their sovereignty, freedom, land, and lives” again “russia’s brutal aggression.”

The full text of the 2023 Presidential Captive Nations Week Proclamation follows:

During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our support for brave people around the world who are standing up to oppressive rule and striving for greater freedom, greater dignity, and greater democracy.

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed the first Captive Nations Week in 1959, he appealed directly to the hundreds of millions living behind the Iron Curtain — firm in the knowledge that authoritarianism could never erase a people’s love of liberty.  Over the coming decades, courageous women and men joined together to demand their fundamental freedoms and human rights.  But the battle against oppression did not end with the Cold War.  The forces of autocracy continue to reassert themselves.  In Iran, belarus, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the People’s Republic of China, and elsewhere, we are seeing an all too familiar contempt for the rule of law, for democracy, for human rights, and even for the truth itself.

This is all too evident in russia’s brutal aggression against its neighbor Ukraine and in the Ukrainian people’s courageous defense of their sovereignty, freedom, land, and lives.  And around the world, countless more are working every day in their own countries to advance the essential democratic principles that unite free people everywhere:  the rule of law; free and fair elections; the freedom of the press; the freedom to speak, write, and assemble; and the freedom to worship as one chooses.  These advocates and champions of democracy are living proof that the darkness that drives autocracy can never extinguish the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere.

The United States is proud to stand with all those who fight for freedom.  We will continue supporting democratic reformers and human rights defenders around the world, who are working for a future where women and girls can exercise their rights equally and contribute fully to society, where members of religious and ethnic minorities can live their lives without harassment, where LGBTQI+ people can live and love freely, and where citizens and the press can question and criticize their leaders without fear of reprisal. 

Two years ago, at the first Summit for Democracy, I was proud to launch the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal, with more than $400 million in initiatives to defend and grow democratic resilience with partners around the globe.  This year, at our second Summit, I committed another $690 million to keep growing our work to advance democracy internationally.  Democracy — transparent and accountable government of, for, and by the people — is our most powerful tool to realize lasting peace, expand prosperity, and protect human dignity. 

The United States will continue to lead not just by the example of our power but the power of our example.  That is why, since my first day in office, my Administration has also taken decisive action to restore and strengthen democracy here at home.  I issued an Executive Order promoting access to voter registration and election information, and I signed into law the Electoral Count Reform Act, which helps preserve the will of the people against future attempts to overturn our elections.  The Department of Justice has strengthened its ability to fight unlawful voter suppression.  And I continue to call on the Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. 

During this Captive Nations Week, as we honor the bravery of democratic reformers and human rights defenders everywhere, I am reminded of the words of the philosopher Kierkegaard:  “Faith sees best in the dark.”  To those living in darkness today:  We honor your resilience.  To those who are committed to the cause of liberty:  We are your partner for a better future. 

The Congress, by joint resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week of July of each year as “Captive Nations Week.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 16 through July 22, 2023, as Captive Nations Week.  I call upon all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to championing those around the world who are working, often at great personal risk, to secure liberty and justice for all.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.