Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Holds a Bilat with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine - September 21, 2023

Joe Biden

00:00:00 - 00:00:05 ()

Mr. President, it's an honor to welcome you back to the White House and to the Oval Office.

Joe Biden

00:00:00 - 00:00:15 ()

Mr. President, 575 days. It's been 575 days since Putin launched his brutal war of conquest against Ukraine.

Joe Biden

00:00:05 - 00:00:24 ()

And earlier this week at the U.N. General Assembly, I made it clear that -- that no nation can be truly secure in the world if, in fact, we don't stand up and defend the freedom of Ukraine from facing this Russian brutality and aggression.

Joe Biden

00:00:15 - 00:00:37 ()

Putin thought he would break Ukraine. He thought he could break you. He had underestimated the consequence of taking on Ukrainian people. From your children to your grandparents, I've never seen so much courage exhibited by civilians. It really is amazing. It's amazing.

Joe Biden

00:00:24 - 00:00:33 ()

That's why we brought together a coalition of more than 50 countries -- more than 50 countries to help Ukraine defend itself, and it's critical.

Joe Biden

00:00:37 - 00:00:56 ()

And -- and he also thought he could break the Western alliance and NATO in the support of you. And he also thought that he'd break the will of nations around the world. Many more have stood with Ukraine -- who still stand with Ukraine.

Joe Biden

00:00:33 - 00:00:47 ()

And that's why, together with our partners in Ukraine, we have provided humanitarian aid as well as tens of millions of people with food, clean water, and so much more.

Joe Biden

00:00:56 - 00:01:09 ()

Well, he was wrong. He continues to be wrong. Ukraine is unbroken, unbowed, and unconquered, proving that nothing can dim the flame of liberty that burns in the heart of free people.

Joe Biden

00:00:47 - 00:00:59 ()

And that's why -- that's why we've begun the process of formalizing our long-term commitment to Ukraine's security, alongside the G7 and with other partners.

Joe Biden

00:01:09 - 00:01:31 ()

And, Mr. President, the American people -- Democrats and Republicans alike, families all across our nation -- understand what Ukraine is fighting to defend, what generations of Americans have also stepped up to protect and preserve. It's pretty basic: freedom, liberty, and sovereignty.

Joe Biden

00:00:59 - 00:01:09 ()

And that's why we support a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukrainian sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

Joe Biden

00:01:31 - 00:01:45 ()

And as I made clear at the U.N. this week -- and you were there -- the entire world has a stake in making sure that no nation, no aggressor is allowed to take a neighbor's territory by force.

Joe Biden

00:01:09 - 00:01:23 ()

Mr. President, the brave people of Ukraine -- and that's not hyperbole; the people of Ukraine have shown enormous bravery -- enormous bravery -- have inspired the world -- literally inspired the world with their determination to defend these principles.

Joe Biden

00:01:45 - 00:01:49 ()

The American people will never waver in our commitment to those values.

Joe Biden

00:01:23 - 00:01:34 ()

And together with our partners and allies, the American people are determined to see to it that we do all we can to ensure the world stands with you, and that is our overwhelming objective right now.

Joe Biden

00:01:49 - 00:02:12 ()

That's why, together with our allies and partners, we will continue to provide security assistance to support Ukraine's progress in reclaiming its territory. And we'll continue to provide humanitarian aid to help millions of innocents suffering from your -- Russia's aggression. And what they've done to your children is just -- it's criminal.

Joe Biden

00:01:34 - 00:01:36 ()

So, welcome, welcome.

Joe Biden

00:02:12 - 00:02:22 ()

And we're going to continue to support Ukraine's diplomatic effort to deliver a just and lasting peace -- a peace that protects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:01:36 - 00:01:37 ()

Thank you so much.

Joe Biden

00:02:22 - 00:02:29 ()

Russia alone -- Russia alone stands in the way of peace. It could end this today.

Joe Biden

00:01:37 - 00:01:38 ()

We have much to talk about.

Joe Biden

00:02:29 - 00:02:43 ()

Instead, Russia is seeking more weapons from Iran and North Korea. It would violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that Moscow itself voted to put in place.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:01:38 - 00:01:48 ()

Thank you so much, Mr. President -- such warm and strong words to all the Ukrainians from -- from you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Joe Biden

00:02:43 - 00:03:01 ()

Instead, as the threat of famine still stalks families around the globe, Russia is bombing grain silos in Ukraine and separating families, kidnapping -- this is what I can't get over -- kidnapping thousands of Ukrainian children.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:01:48 - 00:02:11 ()

I'm glad to meet you. It's already the third time this year. Thank you for the invitation. Our regular dialogue has proved that our countries are really, truly allies and strategic friends. And we greatly appreciate the vital assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine to combat Russian terror -- really, terror.

Joe Biden

00:03:01 - 00:03:20 ()

Instead, with the days beginning to turn colder, Russia hopes to once more use winter as a weapon against the people of Ukraine. But as I discussed with President Zelenskyy, the people of Ukraine are steeled for this struggle ahead. And the United States is going to continue to stand with you.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:02:11 - 00:02:21 ()

Today, I'm in Washington to strengthen our coalition to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom, and democracy in the world.

Joe Biden

00:03:20 - 00:03:35 ()

Today, I approved the next tranche of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, including more artillery, more ammunition, more anti-tank weapons. And next week, the first U.S. Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:02:21 - 00:02:29 ()

And I started my day in the U.S. Congress to thank its members and to people of America for all the big, huge support.

Joe Biden

00:03:35 - 00:04:09 ()

We also focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities to protect the critical infrastructure that provides heat and light during the coldest and darkest days of the year. That includes providing a second HAWK air defense battery with steady deliveries of additional HAWK and other systems each month through the winter. And a new package of launchers and interceptors that's going to protect Ukraine -- Ukraine's grain silos, hospitals, schools, and power plants.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:02:29 - 00:02:46 ()

I've felt trust between us, and it's allowed us to have a frank and constructive dialogue, Mr. President. And this trust and support I felt from both chambers and both parties. I'm grateful for this.

Joe Biden

00:04:09 - 00:04:13 ()

That will help save Ukrainian lives.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:02:46 - 00:03:13 ()

Then, with the First Lady, I honored innocent victims of September 11 Memorial in Pentagon. All those who -- tragedy -- death -- who died on American Airlines Flight 77. It's very important to all in the world to remember the victims of terror and value everyone who fights with it.

Joe Biden

00:04:13 - 00:04:33 ()

Just as we are committed to helping the Ukrainian people defend themselves now, we're also committed to helping them recover and rebuild for the future, including supporting reforms that are going to combat corruption, creating an environment where businesses can thrive and where American and European businesses want to invest.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:03:13 - 00:03:20 ()

And now, I look forward, Mr. President, to our discussion for the benefit of our nations and the world.

Joe Biden

00:04:33 - 00:04:55 ()

Ladies and gentlemen, last week I announced the appointment of Penny Pritzker as our new Special Representative. Penny, thank you for being willing to come back in. Of you -- she's the -- going to be the Special Representative for Ukraine Economic Recovery to help Ukraine reopen markets, mobilize investments, and make the necessary economic reforms that are needed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:03:20 - 00:03:36 ()

When it comes to weapons, we will discuss everything, with a special emphasis on air defense. And just to say that -- especially this day -- one year ago, we had -- we made a big exchange of prisoners -- war prisoners and journalists.

Joe Biden

00:04:55 - 00:05:16 ()

And together with 29 other partners -- partners -- partners, partners, and their partners -- we're committed to help Ukraine build a force capable of ensuring Ukraine's long-term security -- capable of deterring future threats against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom, which are underway now.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:03:36 - 00:03:49 ()

And it was on this day when we got and brought home defenders of Azovstal. And also citizens of the United States -- not -- that we -- we did it -- Alexander Drueke and Andrew Tai Huynh, both from -- both from Alabama.

Joe Biden

00:05:16 - 00:05:27 ()

Because that's what this is all about: the future. The future of freedom. America can never, will never walk away from that.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:03:49 - 00:03:51 ()

Thank you, Mr. President.

Joe Biden

00:05:27 - 00:05:37 ()

That's why, 575 days later, we stand with Ukraine and we'll continue to stand with you, Mr. President. And that's why we're so proud of being able to be with you.

Joe Biden

00:03:51 - 00:03:52 ()

Thank you.

Joe Biden

00:05:37 - 00:05:43 ()

Mr. President, we're -- we're with you, and we're staying with you.

Joe Biden

00:03:52 - 00:03:54 ()

Thank you all very much.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:05:43 - 00:05:48 ()

Thank you so much, Mr. President. Thank you for all these 575 days.

Note

00:03:54 - 00:03:54 ()

[Crosstalk]

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:05:48 - 00:06:00 ()

Yes, and thanks to American people. They -- all -- all these days, they are together with us, with Ukrainians, with ordinary people, all of us. Thank you so much.

Question

00:03:54 - 00:04:02 ()

Mr. Zelenskyy, are you -- aren't you concerned that you're losing Poland over the grain export dispute? Are you concerned that you're losing a friend?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:06:00 - 00:06:18 ()

Thanks you, your team, Congress. And thanks, journalists, that -- for all your messages to your society and to the world that you share the truth about this -- this, you know, tragedy, aggression from Russia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:04:02 - 00:04:08 ()

Our friends with Poland? Our friends, we are very thankful to Polish people, Polish society for all of -- for their support.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:06:18 - 00:06:28 ()

So, thank you very much, dear Mr. President Biden. Thank you for a warm meeting and very productive, strong negotiations.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:04:08 - 00:04:09 ()

That's it. Thank you.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:06:28 - 00:06:31 ()

And today, we have some important results.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:06:31 - 00:06:59 ()

First, we agreed to work on the future force of Ukraine. It's very important. It is strategic decision that will allow us to prevent any -- any new aggression against us, against Ukraine, our people. And this will be one of the outcomes of Vilnius G7 Declaration and our bilateral security arrangements.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:06:59 - 00:07:10 ()

Second, we reached new agreement that will strengthen Ukraine's defense cap- -- capabilities. Thank you so much. More details will be announced shortly.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:07:10 - 00:07:30 ()

And thirdly, I thank United States of America and Mr. President for the new defense package for Ukraine -- a very powerful package. Thank you so much. And it has exactly what our soldiers need now.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:07:30 - 00:07:40 ()

Fourthly, the United States will be helping Ukraine with strengthening our air defense during this winter season.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:07:40 - 00:08:07 ()

And fifths, we agreed on specific steps to expand exports of grain from Ukraine. And -- and we will continue to work on the peace formula and -- and preparing [inaudible] summits. So, thank you so much not only for these points -- for all these points, for all these 575 days. Thank you.

Joe Biden

00:08:07 - 00:08:09 ()

Thank you.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:08:09 - 00:08:12 ()

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Joe Biden

00:08:12 - 00:08:14 ()

Thank you all.

Question

00:08:14 - 00:08:24 ()

President Zelenskyy, are you -- are you confident that Congress is going to support your efforts to get the supplemental aid? Did you get any assurances?

Joe Biden

00:08:24 - 00:08:29 ()

I'm counting on the good judgement of the United States Congress. There's no alternative.

Joe Biden

00:08:29 - 00:08:30 ()

Thank you.

Joe Biden

00:08:30 - 00:08:34 ()

All right, we ready?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

00:08:34 - 00:08:36 ()

Thank you so much.

Remarks: Joe Biden Holds a Bilat with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine - September 21, 2023

Joe Biden Holds a Bilat with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine [2023-09-21]