Biden Speaks of Freedom, Democracy, Unity; Putin Plugs Russian Culture, 'Dignity of the Fatherland'

(CNSNews.com) – “Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never,” President Joe Biden declared in Warsaw on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the opposite: “[I]t is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield,” he told the Russian parliament.

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, it remains to be seen who is correct.

While President Biden stressed the abstract concepts of freedom, democracy and unity in his speech, Putin concentrated more on “the dignity of the fatherland” and the need to preserve Russian culture and values.

Here are a few excerpts from their respective speeches illustrating Biden’s broad, globalist themes and Putin’s more nationalist emphasis on Russian “civilization.”

“When President Putin ordered his tanks to roll into Ukraine, he thought we would roll over. He was wrong,” Biden said in Warsaw:

“The Ukrainian people are too brave. America, Europe, a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific — we were too unified. Democracy was too strong.

“Instead of an easy victory he perceived and predicted, Putin left with burnt-out tanks and Russia’s forces in delay — in disarray. He thought he’d get the [Finlandization] of NATO.  Instead, he got the NATOization of Finland — and Sweden.

“He thought NATO would fracture and divide. Instead, NATO is more united and more unified than ever — than ever before. He thought he could weaponize energy to crack your resolve — Europe’s resolve. Instead, we’re working together to end Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

“He thought autocrats like himself were tough and leaders of democracies were soft. And then, he met the iron will of America and the nations everywhere that refused to accept a world governed by fear and force. He found himself at war with a nation led by a man whose courage would be forged in fire and steel: President Zelenskyy.

“President Putin — President Putin is confronted with something today that he didn’t think was possible a year ago.  The democracies of the world have grown stronger, not weaker.  But the autocrats of the world have grown weaker, not stronger.”

Biden hailed the Ukrainian fighters who have reclaimed their land. “In more than 50 percent of the territory Russia held last year, the blue and the yellow flag of Ukraine proudly waves once again. President Zelenskyy still leads a democratically elected government that represents the will of the Ukrainian people.”

Biden also thanked the Polish people for supporting Ukraine and sheltering refugees:

“And the American people are united in our resolve as well,” he said. “All across my country, in big cities and small towns, Ukrainian flags fly from American homes.

“Over the past year, Democrats and Republicans in our United States Congress have come together to stand for freedom. That’s who Americans are, and that’s what Americans do.”

‘This civilization of ours – that’s what matters’

Putin, on the other hand, talked about “an existential threat to our country,” insisting that Russia did not start the war that it actually started:

“The Western elite make no secret of their goal, which is, I quote, ‘Russia’s strategic defeat.’ What does this mean to us?” Putin asked:

“This means they plan to finish us once and for all. In other words, they plan to grow a local conflict into a global confrontation. This is how we understand it and we will respond accordingly, because this represents an existential threat to our country.

“However, they too realize it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield and are conducting increasingly aggressive information attacks against us targeting primarily the younger generation. They never stop lying and distorting historical facts as they attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional religious organizations in our country.”

Putin described the “spiritual disaster” of Western countries, and an “elite” that has “gone crazy.”

“We will protect our children from degradation and degeneration,” he declared.

“I am proud, and I think we are all proud that our multi-ethnic nation, the absolute majority of our citizens, have taken a principled stance on the special military operation [war in Ukraine]. They understand the basic idea of what we are doing and support our actions on the defense of Donbass.

“This support primarily revealed their true patriotism – a feeling that is historically inherent in our nation. It is stunning in its dignity and deep understanding by everyone – I will stress, everyone – of the inseparable link between one’s own destiny and the destiny of the Fatherland.”

Putin described Russia as a “distinct civilization.”

“There is no claim to exclusivity or superiority in this statement, but this civilization of ours – that’s what matters. Our ancestors passed it to us and we must preserve it for our descendants and pass it on to them.

“We will develop cooperation with friends, with all those who are ready to work with us. We will adopt the best practices but will primarily rely on our own potential, on the creative energy of Russian society, on our traditions and values.

“Here I would like to mention the character of our people who have always been distinguished by their generosity, magnanimity, mercy and compassion, and Russia, as a country, fully reflects these traits.

“We know how to be good friends, how to stand by one’s word. We will never let anyone down and will always support those in a difficult situation without hesitation…”

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