President Joe Biden made it clear once again on Saturday that he has no plans to deploy American troops to Ukraine, all the while commending the leadership of the US on a global scale. This was an implicit response to criticisms of weakness leveled by Republican adversary Donald Trump.
Addressing the graduating class of the esteemed West Point Military Academy, the Democrat stated, “There are no American soldiers at war in Ukraine. I'm determined to keep it that way, but we are standing strong with Ukraine, and we will stand with them.” He went on to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a brutal tyrant,” and highlighted Putin's belief that NATO would fragment following his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Biden asserted, “Instead, the greatest defence alliance in the history of the world is stronger than ever.”
Recently, US lawmakers approved a long-awaited $61 billion military aid package for Kyiv after prolonged infighting in Congress, during which Ukrainian forces experienced setbacks due to shortages in ammunition and funding. Subsequently, Biden authorized the dispatch of five installments of military aid to Ukraine amidst Russia’s ongoing offensive in the Kharkiv region.
Additionally, Biden lauded the US's engagement in the Middle East, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. He underscored the significance of the US armed forces in carrying out responsibilities that only America, as the indispensable nation and the world's sole superpower, can fulfill.
The US president, who is campaigning for re-election in November, urged the cadets to uphold their oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, emphasizing their role as “guardians of American democracy.” He reminded them that safeguarding freedom demands unwavering vigilance.
Biden’s campaign partly revolves around the perceived threat to the US political system posed by Trump. The latter has vowed to crack down on the “enemy from within” should he be re-elected and has not ruled out the possibility of political violence if he loses the White House.
