Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you, General. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all very, very much. Thank you. Please. Thank you so much. Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President, and our First Lady and Second Gentleman, members of Congress and the cabinet, Justice of the Supreme Court, my fellow Americans, last year, COVID-19 kept us apart.

  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you, General. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you all very, very much. Thank you. Please. Thank you so much. Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President, and our First Lady and Second Gentleman, members of Congress and the cabinet, Justice of the Supreme Court, my fellow Americans, last year, COVID-19 kept us apart.

  This year, we're finally together again. Tonight Tonight, we meet as Democrats, Republicans, independents, but most importantly, as Americans with the duty to one another to America, to the American people, to the Constitution, and an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny. Thank you.

  This year, we're finally together again. Tonight -- [Applause] Tonight, we meet as Democrats, Republicans, independents, but most importantly, as Americans with the duty to one another to America, to the American people, to the Constitution, and an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny. [Applause] Thank you.

  Six days ago, Russia's Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined: he met Ukrainian people. [Applause] From President Zelenskyy to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination literally inspires the world.

  Six days ago, Russia's Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined.

  Groups of citizens blocking tanks with their bodies; everyone, from students to retirees to teachers turned soldiers, defending their homeland. And in this struggle, President Zelenskyy said in his speech to the European Parliament, "Light will win over darkness." The Ukrainian ambassador to the United States is here tonight, sitting with the First Lady.

  He met Ukrainian people. From President Zelenskyy to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination literally inspires the world. Groups of citizens blocking tanks with their bodies; everyone, from students to retirees to teachers turned soldiers, defending their homeland. And in this struggle, President Zelenskyy said in his speech to the European Parliament, "Light will win over darkness." The Ukrainian ambassador to the United States is here tonight, sitting with the first lady.

  Let us each of us, if you're able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world, to Ukraine.

  Let us each of us, if you're able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world, to Ukraine. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] She's bright, she's strong, she's resolved. [Applause] Yes, we, the United States of America, stand with the Ukrainian people. Throughout our history, we've learned this lesson: When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos.

  They keep moving. And the costs and the threats to the America and America to the world keeps rising. That's why the NATO alliance was created to secure a piece of stability in Europe after World War II. The United States is a member along with 29 other nations. It matters. American diplomacy matters. American resolve matters.

  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. She's bright, she's strong, she's resolved. Yes, we, the United States of America, stand with the Ukrainian people. Throughout our history, we've learned this lesson: When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving.

  Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and totally unprovoked. He rejected repeated, repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home in this chamber, in this nation. He thought he could divide us in Europe as well. But Putin was wrong.

  And the costs and the threats to the America and America to the world keeps rising. That's why the NATO alliance was created to secure a piece of stability in Europe after World War II. The United States is a member along with 29 other nations. It matters. American diplomacy matters. American resolve matters.

  We are ready. We are united. And that's what we did, we stayed united. We prepared extensively and carefully. We spent months building coalitions of other freedom-loving nations in Europe and the Americas, from America to the Asian and African continents to confront Putin. Like many of you, I spent countless hours unifying our European allies.

  Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and totally unprovoked. He rejected repeated, repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home in this chamber, in this nation. He thought he could divide us in Europe as well. But Putin was wrong.

  We shared with the world in advance what we knew Putin was planning and precisely how he would try to falsify and justify his aggression. We countered Russia's lies with the truth. And now, now that he's acted, the three -- the free world is holding him accountable. Along with 27 members of the European Union, including France, Germany, Italy, as well as countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and many others, even Switzerland, are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine.

  We are ready. We are united. And that's what we did, we stayed united. We prepared extensively and carefully. We spent months building coalitions of other freedom-loving nations in Europe and the Americas, from America to the Asian and African continents to confront Putin. Like many of you, I spent countless hours unifying our European allies.

  Putin is now isolated from the world more than he has ever been. Together -- [Applause] Together -- [Applause] Together, along with our allies, we are right now enforcing powerful economic sanctions. We're cutting off Russia's largest banks from the international financial system, preventing Russia's central bank from defending the Russian ruble, making Putin's $630 billion war fund worthless. [Applause] We're choking Russia's access -- we're choking Russia's access to technology that will sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come.

  We shared with the world in advance what we knew Putin was planning and precisely how he would try to falsify and justify his aggression. We countered Russia's lies with the truth. And now, now that he's acted, the three -- the free world is holding him accountable. Along with 27 members of the European Union, including France, Germany, Italy, as well as countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and many others, even Switzerland, are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine.

  Putin is now isolated from the world more than he has ever been. Together -- Together -- Together, along with our allies, we are right now enforcing powerful economic sanctions. We're cutting off Russia's largest banks from the international financial system, preventing Russia's central bank from defending the Russian ruble, making Putin's $630 billion war fund worthless.

  Tonight, I say to the Russian oligarchs and the corrupt leaders who bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime, no more. The United States -- [Applause] I mean it. [Applause] The United States Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of the Russian oligarchs.

  We're joining with European allies to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets. We're coming for your ill-begotten gains. And tonight, I'm announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding additional squeeze on their economy. [Applause] He has no idea what's coming.

  We're choking Russia's access -- we're choking Russia's access to technology that will sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come. Tonight, I say to the Russian oligarchs and the corrupt leaders who bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime, no more. The United States -- I mean it.

  The ruble has already lost 30 percent of its value. The Russian stock market has lost 40 percent of its value and trading remains suspended. The Russian economy is reeling and Putin alone is the one to blame. Together with our allies, we're providing support to the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. Military assistance, economic assistance, humanitarian assistance.

  The United States Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of the Russian oligarchs. We're joining with European allies to to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets. We're coming for your ill-begotten gains. And tonight, I'm announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding additional squeeze on their economy.

  He has no idea what's coming. The ruble has already lost 30 percent of its value. The Russian stock market has lost 40 percent of its value and trading remains suspended. The Russian economy is reeling and Putin alone is the one to blame. Together with our allies, we're providing support to the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom.

  We're giving more than $1 dollars of direct assistance to Ukraine and we'll continue to aid the Ukrainian people as they defend their country and help ease their suffering. [Applause] But let me be clear, our forces are not engaged and will not engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine. Our forces are not going to Europe to fight Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west.

  Military assistance, economic assistance, humanitarian assistance. We're giving more than $1 dollars of direct assistance to Ukraine and we'll continue to aid the Ukrainian people as they defend their country and help ease their suffering. But let me be clear, our forces are not engaged and will not engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine.

  For that purpose, we have mobilized American ground forces, air squadrons, ship deployments to protect NATO countries including Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. And as I've made crystal clear, the United States and our allies will defend every inch of territory that is NATO territory with the full force of our collective power.

  Every single inch. [Applause] And we're clear-eyed. The Ukrainians are fighting back with pure courage but the next few days, weeks, and months will be hard on them. Putin has unleashed violence and chaos. But while he may make gains on the battlefield, he'll pay a continuing high price over the long run.

  Our forces are not going to Europe to fight Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west. For that purpose, we have mobilized American ground forces, air squadrons, ship deployments to protect NATO countries including Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

  And a pound of Ukrainian people, the proud, proud people, pound for pound ready to fight with every inch of energy they have. They've known 30 years of independence, have repeatedly shown that they will not tolerate anyone who tries to take their country backwards. To all Americans, I'll be honest with you, as I always promised I would be.

  And as I've made crystal clear, the United States and our allies will defend every inch of territory that is NATO territory with the full force of our collective power. Every single inch. And we're clear-eyed. The Ukrainians are fighting back with pure courage but the next few days, weeks, and months will be hard on them.

  Putin has unleashed violence and chaos. But while he may make gains on the battlefield, he'll pay a continuing high price over the long run. And a pound of Ukrainian people, the proud, proud people, pound for pound ready to fight with every inch of energy they have. They've known 30 years of independence, have repeatedly shown that they will not tolerate anyone who tries to take their country backwards.

  A Russian dictator invading a foreign country has cost around the world. And I'm taking robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions is targeted at Russian economy and that we use every tool at our disposal to protect American businesses and consumers. Tonight, I can announce the United States has worked with 30 other countries to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world.

  To all Americans, I'll be honest with you, as I always promised I would be. A Russian dictator invading a foreign country has cost around the world. And I'm taking robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions is targeted at Russian economy and that we use every tool at our disposal to protect American businesses and consumers.

  America will lead that effort, releasing 30 million barrels of our own Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And we stand ready to do more if necessary, united with our allies. These steps will help blunt gas prices here at home, but I know news about what's happening can seem alarming to all Americans. But I want you to know, we're going to be OK.

  Tonight, I can announce the United States has worked with 30 other countries to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world. America will lead that effort, releasing 30 million barrels of our own Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And we stand ready to do more if necessary, united with our allies.

  We're going to be OK. When the history of this era is written, Putin's war in Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger. [Applause] While it shouldn't -- while it shouldn't have taken -- while it shouldn't have taken something so terrible for people around the world to see what's at stake, now everyone sees it clearly.

  We see the unity among leaders of nations, a more unified Europe, a more unified West. We see unity among the people who are gathering in cities and large crowds around the world, even in Russia, to demonstrate their support for the people of Ukraine. In the battle between democracy and autocracies, democracies are rising to the moment and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security.

  These steps will help blunt gas prices here at home, but I know news about what's happening can seem alarming to all Americans. But I want you to know, we're going to be OK. We're going to be OK. When the history of this era is written, Putin's war in Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.

  This is the real test. It's going to take time. So, let's continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people. To our fellow Ukrainian-Americans who forged a deep bond that connects our two nations, we stand with you. We stand with you. Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks, but he'll never gain the hearts and souls of the Ukrainian people.

  While it shouldn't -- while it shouldn't have taken -- while it shouldn't have taken something so terrible for people around the world to see what's at stake, now everyone sees it clearly. We see the unity among leaders of nations, a more unified Europe, a more unified West. We see unity among the people who are gathering in cities and large crowds around the world, even in Russia, to demonstrate their support for the people of Ukraine.

  He'll never -- he'll never extinguish their certain love of freedom and he will never, never weaken the resolve of the free world. [Applause] We meet tonight in an America that has lived through two of the hardest years this nation has ever faced. The pandemic has been punishing and so many families are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep up with the rising cost of food, gas, housing, and so much more.

  In the battle between democracy and autocracies, democracies are rising to the moment and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security. This is the real test. It's going to take time. So, let's continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people. To our fellow Ukrainian-Americans who forged a deep bond that connects our two nations, we stand with you.

  We stand with you. Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks, but he'll never gain the hearts and souls of the Ukrainian people. He'll never -- he'll never extinguish their certain love of freedom and he will never, never weaken the resolve of the free world. We meet tonight in an America that has lived through two of the hardest years this nation has ever faced.

  I understand, like many of you did. My dad had to leave his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania to find work. So, like many of you, I grew up in a family when the price of food went up. It was felt throughout the family. It had an impact, That's why one of the first things I did as president was fight to pass the American Rescue Plan because people were hurting.

  We needed to act and we did. Few pieces of legislation have done more at a critical moment in our history to lift us out of a crisis. It fueled our efforts to vaccinate the nation and combat COVID-19, delivered immediate economic relief to tens of millions of Americans. It helped put food on the table. Remember those long lines of cars waiting for hours just to get a box of food put in their trunk.

  The pandemic has been punishing and so many families are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep up with the rising cost of food, gas, housing, and so much more. I understand, like many of you did. My dad had to leave his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania to find work. So, like many of you, I grew up in a family when the price of food went up.