Biden declares Putin 'isolated from the world'
First State of the Union: President hints more sanctions
Andrew Friedman (AF)May 9, 2025
Joe Biden declared Vladimir Putin "more isolated than ever from the world," while the US President hailed Western unity in the face of the Russian attack on Ukraine and hinted at more economic sanctions.
In his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, Biden said the democracies were "rising to the occasion" in their response to Putin's war, taking sweeping measures to hamper Russia's economy and steal the fortunes of some oligarchs To block.
The President announced the US would "close American airspace to all Russian flights," joining the EU and Canada in taking similar action, a move that would "further isolate Russia and put additional pressure on its economy." .
And in a signal that the US is ready to support more sanctions as the invasion progresses, Biden warned Putin "he has no idea what's coming."
"If the history of this era is written, Putin's war against Ukraine will have made Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger," he added.
The first part of the speech was dedicated to the Russian invasion, with Biden praising the strength of the Ukrainian resistance. Kiev's envoy to Washington, seated next to First Lady Jill Biden, received a standing ovation, and the audience wore blue and yellow ribbons and held Ukrainian flags.
The president accused Putin of underestimating the Ukrainian people's response to the invasion, which began last week and has grown increasingly aggressive as the Russian military targeted civilians after frustrating at slower-than-expected progress.
Biden said: "Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked. He dismissed efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO would not respond. And he thought he could divide us here at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready."
He added, "Throughout our history we have learned this lesson: When dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They move on. And the costs and threats to America and the world continue to mount."
The president reserved some of his harshest words for Russian oligarchs, telling them: "We will join forces with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury homes and your private jets. We will take your ill-gotten gains."
The outbreak of war in Europe meant that foreign policy took center stage in State of the Union speeches, arguably more so than at any time since George W. Bush's 2002 salvo against the "axis of evil" following the 9/11 attacks.
Biden told Americans, "I want you to know that we will be fine," and reiterated his promise that the US would not interfere in the conflict in Ukraine. He said he had deployed troops to Europe as a precaution "in case Putin decides to move further west."
"The United States and our allies will defend every inch of NATO country territory with the full force of our collective might."
However, Biden promised a protracted conflict - "this is a real test, it will take time" - and warned that Putin's invasion would have "costs around the world".
With Brent crude oil priced at over $111 a barrel and energy prices soaring, the President pledged to "use every means at our disposal to protect American businesses and consumers."
He referred to Tuesday's announcement that the US would join other countries in releasing 60 million barrels of oil from global reserves to boost supply. "These steps will help bring gas prices down here," Biden said, adding, "We stand ready to do more with our allies if necessary."
