2023年2月21日
波兰华沙
华沙皇家城堡
中欧时间下午5:39
 
总统：你好，波兰！（掌声）波兰是我们伟大的盟友之一。杜达总统、总理先生、市长先生、以及来自全国各地的前任部长、总统、市长和波兰的政治领袖们：感谢你们欢迎我回到波兰。
 
你们知道，将近一年前——（掌声）——将近一年前，就在弗拉基米尔·普京对乌克兰发动旨在毁灭的攻击几周后，我在这里——华沙的皇家城堡——发表了讲话。自第二次世界大战以来欧洲最大的陆战已经打响。逾 75 年来作为这个星球的和平、繁荣与稳定基石的原则岌岌可危。
 
一年前，世界已经准备面对基辅的沦陷。而今天，我刚刚结束了对基辅的访问，我可以告诉大家：基辅依然坚强、（掌声）依然自豪、依然岿巍挺立！最重要的是，基辅依然自由！（掌声）
当俄罗斯入侵时，不仅仅是乌克兰受到考验。 整个世界都经历了一次历史性的考验。
 
欧洲受到考验。美国受到考验。北约受到考验。所有民主国家都受到考验。我们面临的问题既简单又深刻。
 
我们会采取行动，还是会视而不见？我们会坚强还是会软弱？我们与所有的盟友会团结还是分裂？
 
一年后，我们知道了答案。
 
我们采取了行动。 我们选择了坚强。 我们选择了团结。世界没有选择视而不见。（掌声）
 
我们还面临着对最基本的原则所做承诺的根本性问题。我们会奋起捍卫国家主权吗？我们会奋起捍卫人们免受赤裸裸侵略的权利吗？我们会奋起捍卫民主吗？
 
一年后，我们知道了答案。
 
是的，我们会奋起捍卫主权。我们做到了。
 
是的，我们会奋起捍卫人们免受侵略的权利。我们做到了。
 
我们会奋起捍卫民主。我们也做到了。
 
昨天，我有幸与泽连斯基总统站在一起，在基辅宣布我们将继续捍卫这些原则，无论发生什么情况。（掌声）
 
当普京总统下令坦克进入乌克兰时，他以为我们会屈服。但他错了。
 
乌克兰人民太勇敢了。
 
美国、欧洲、从大西洋到太平洋的国家联盟——我们高度团结。
民主无比坚强。
 
普京所预期和预言的一场轻松胜利，变成了烧毁的坦克和溃败的俄罗斯军队。
 
他原以为他将使北约芬兰化，相反，他得到的结果是芬兰北约化——还有瑞典。（掌声）
 
他原以为北约会分裂瓦解。相反，北约更加团结——比以往任何时候都更加团结。
 
他原以为能够通过把能源用作武器来动摇你们的决心——欧洲的决心。
 
相反，我们正在共同努力，结束欧洲对俄罗斯化石燃料的依赖。
他原以为像他自己这样的独裁者很强硬，而民主国家的领导人则很软弱。
 
然而，他发现自己面对的是美国和众多国家的钢铁意志，人们拒绝接受一个以恐惧和武力统治的世界。
 
他发现自己正在与一个在烈火和钢铁中锻造出勇气的人领导之下的国家交战，这个人就是泽伦斯基总统。（掌声）
 
普京总统 ——普京总统今天面对的是一年前他认为不可能发生的事情。世界上的民主国家变得更强，而不是更弱。世界上的专制者却变得更弱，而不是更强。
 
因为在动荡不安和充满变数的时刻，知道自己为何而战非常重要，而知道谁会和你并肩奋战会让结果截然不同。
 
波兰人民知道这一点。你们知道这一点。事实上，波兰比任何国家都更加清楚，因为这就是团结的意义。
 
经历了分割和压迫，华沙起义之后这座美丽的城市被摧毁，在共产主义铁腕统治下的几十年里，波兰人民团结一致，经受住了考验。
 
因此，勇敢的白俄罗斯反对派领袖和人民继续为民主而战。
 
因此，摩尔多瓦人民的决心 ——（掌声）—— 摩尔多瓦人民渴望自由生活的决心为他们赢得了独立，使他们走上了加入欧盟的道路。
 
桑杜总统今天也在此。我不确定她在哪里。但我很自豪能和您以及热爱自由的摩尔多瓦人民站在一起。请为她鼓掌。（掌声）
 
战争爆发一年后，普京不再怀疑我们联盟的力量。但他仍然怀疑我们的信念、怀疑我们的持久力量、怀疑我们对乌克兰的持续支持、怀疑北约能否继续保持团结。
 
然而，他不应该有任何怀疑。我们对乌克兰的支持决不会动摇，北约决不会分裂，我们也决不会疲惫。（掌声）。
 
普京总统对地盘和权力的疯狂欲望必定破灭，而乌克兰人民对自己国家的热爱必定胜利。
 
世界民主国家将在今天、明天和永远守卫自由。（掌声）因为——因为它关系着自由的生死存亡。
 
我昨天就是带着这个信息去基辅，直接带给乌克兰人民。
 
当泽连斯基总统说——他去年12月曾来美国——我引用他的话——他说，这场斗争将决定世界的格局以及我们的子孙后代和他们的子子孙孙将如何生活。
 
他所说的不只是乌克兰的子孙后代。他说的是我们所有人的子孙后代。你的和我的。
 
今天我们再次看到波兰人民和欧洲各地人民曾目睹几十年的情形：对独裁者的贪婪不能姑息，必须反抗。
 
独裁者只懂得一个字：“不”。“不”。“不”。（掌声）
 
“不，你不能夺走我的国家”。“不，你不能夺走我的自由”。“不，你不能夺走我的未来”。（掌声）
 
今晚我要重复我去年在这同一个地方所说的话：一心重建帝国的独裁者永远无法泯灭人民对自由的热爱。暴行永远无法压跨自由的意志。乌克兰——乌克兰将永远不会是俄罗斯的战利品。永远不会。（掌声）
 
因为自由的人民拒绝生活在绝望和黑暗的世界中。
 
你们知道，这一年从各种意义而言都非同寻常。
 
俄罗斯军队和雇佣军的残暴非同寻常。他们不知羞耻，作恶多端，犯下反人类罪。他们对平民发起致命和毁灭攻击，把强奸用作战争武器，偷掳乌克兰儿童，试图——试图以此掠夺乌克兰的未来。他们轰炸火车站、妇产医院、学校和孤儿院。
 
没有人——没有人能够对俄罗斯正在对乌克兰人民犯下的暴行视而不见。它令人发指。它令人发指。
 
但是，同样非同寻常的是，乌克兰人民和世界的反应。
 
在炮弹开始落下、俄罗斯的坦克开进乌克兰的一年之后，乌克兰仍然是独立自由的。（掌声）
 
从赫尔松（Kherson）到哈尔科夫（Kharkiv），乌克兰战士已经夺回了他们的土地。
 
在俄罗斯去年占领的50%以上的领土上，如今再次骄傲地飘扬着乌克兰的蓝黄双色旗。
 
泽连斯基总统仍然领导着代表乌克兰人民意愿的民选政府。
 
而且国际社会已多次投票，包括在联合国大会上，谴责俄罗斯的侵略，支持公正的和平。
 
联合国的每一次投票都是压倒性的。
 
去年10月，143个国家在联合国谴责了俄罗斯的非法吞并。在整个联合国，只有四个国家投票支持俄罗斯。四个。
 
因此，我今晚要再次对俄罗斯人民讲话。
 
美国和欧洲国家不寻求控制或摧毁俄罗斯。西方不是像普京今天所说的那样在谋划攻击俄罗斯。亿万希望与邻国和平相处的俄罗斯公民不是敌人。
 
这场战争从来没有必要；它是一场悲剧。
 
普京总统选择了这场战争。战争持续的每一天都是他的选择。他可以用一个字结束战争。
 
这很简单。如果俄罗斯停止侵犯乌克兰，战争就会结束。如果乌克兰面对俄罗斯的侵略停止自卫，乌克兰就会不复存在。
 
这就是为什么我们正在共同确保乌克兰有能力自卫。
 
美国已经组成一个有50多个国家的全球联盟，向前线勇敢的乌克兰战士提供关键的武器和物资。防空系统、火炮、弹药、坦克和装甲车。
 
欧盟及其成员国加强了对乌克兰的前所未有的承诺，不仅是安全援助，而且也在经济、人道需要、难民援助等许多方面。
 
今晚在座的所有各位：请凝神片刻。我要认真地说：转过身看看，转过来看看彼此。看看你们迄今的成就。
 
波兰接待着150多万这场战争的难民。上帝保佑你们。（掌声）
波兰的慷慨，你们敞开胸怀与家门的意愿，殊胜非凡。
 
美国人民也同样团结、坚定。
 
在我国各地的大小城镇，乌克兰国旗在美国人的住宅飘扬。
过去一年，在美国国会中，民主党人和共和党人团结一致支持自由。
 
这就是美国人的特性，这就是美国人的行动。（掌声）
 
世界也在携起手来，解决普京总统的战争造成的全球影响。
 
普京试图让世界挨饿，封锁黑海港口，阻止乌克兰粮食出口，加剧全球粮食危机，非洲发展中国家尤其深受其害。
 
然而，美国和七国集团以及全球合作伙伴响应呼吁，以历史性的承诺应对危机，增加全球粮食供应。
 
本周，我的妻子吉尔·拜登正在前往非洲，促进对这个重要问题的关注。
 
我们对乌克兰人民和乌克兰的未来作出承诺——一个自由、享有主权和民主的乌克兰。
 
这是30多年前宣布乌克兰独立的人们的梦想——是他们领导了橙色革命（Orange Revolution）和尊严革命（Revolution of Dignity）；是他们在独立广场（Maidan）勇敢地冒着冰与火，天堂百人（Heavenly Hundred）在那里献身；是他们仍在继续根除克里姆林宫腐蚀、胁迫和控制乌克兰的企图。
 
对于那些多年来在顿巴斯（Donbas）地区抗击俄罗斯侵略的乌克兰爱国志士以及为了他们所热爱的乌克兰付出一切乃至献出生命的英雄们来说，这是一个梦想。
 
昨天，我荣幸地与泽连斯基总统并肩站立在基辅为他们竖立的纪念碑前，向那些英勇牺牲的志士致敬。
 
美国与我们的合作伙伴同乌克兰的教师、医院工作人员、紧急救援人员以及乌克兰各城市的工作者们站在一起，他们在面对俄罗斯的残酷轰炸时为保障电力供应而奋战。
 
我们与这场战争中的数百万难民站在一起，他们在欧洲和美国都受到热情接纳，尤其是在波兰。
 
欧洲各国的普通民众已尽其所能提供帮助并继续这样做。波兰企业、公民社会、文化领袖——包括今晚在座的波兰第一夫人——发自内心、坚定不移地做出表率，展现了人类精神的所有优秀品质。
 
第一夫人女士，我们爱你。谢谢你们。（掌声）
 
我永远不会忘记去年看望刚到华沙的乌克兰难民的情形，看到他们脸上的疲惫和恐惧——她们紧紧地抱着自己的孩子，担心他们可能再也见不到他们的父亲、丈夫和兄弟姐妹了。
 
在他们生命中最黑暗的时刻，是你们——波兰人民，为他们提供了安全和光明。你们伸开双臂接纳他们。你们向他们伸开了双臂。我看到了。我看到了他们脸上的表情。
 
与此同时，我们已共同确保俄罗斯为其侵略行径付出代价。
 
我们继续保持有史以来针对一个国家所实施过的规模最大的制裁机制。而且本周我们将与我们的合作伙伴共同宣布更多的制裁措施。
 
对这场战争的罪魁祸首，我们将追究其责任。对继续犯下战争罪和反人类罪的俄罗斯人，我们将让他们受到惩罚。
 
正如你们所知，我们在过去一年中共同取得的成就让我们感到非常自豪。但在展望未来一年时，我们必须面对现实、头脑清醒。
捍卫自由不是一天或一年就能完成的任务。这始终是艰巨的。这始终是重要的。
 
在乌克兰继续保卫自己并抵抗俄罗斯的凶猛进攻，同时奋起反攻的过程中，还会有艰难的、非常痛苦的日子，有胜利，也会有悲痛。但乌克兰将以钢铁般的意志迎接未来的战斗。而美国将与我们的盟友及伙伴一道，在乌克兰保卫自己时继续全力提供支持。
明年，我将主持在美国举行的2024年北约峰会，接待所有北约成员国。届时，我们将共同庆祝世界历史上最强大的防御联盟——北约——成立75周年。
 
而且——（掌声）——毋庸置疑，美国对我们的北约联盟和第五条款的承诺坚如磐石。（掌声）北约的每个成员国都知道这一点。俄罗斯也知道这一点。
 
对一方的攻击就是对所有各方的攻击。这是一个神圣的誓言。（掌声）保卫北约每一寸领土的神圣誓言。
 
在过去的一年里，美国与我们的盟友及伙伴组成了一个非凡的联盟，共同抗击俄罗斯的侵略。
 
但我们的任务不仅仅在于我们反对什么，而在于我们支持什么。我们想要建设一个什么样的世界？
 
我们应当发挥这个联盟的实力和能力，并将其用于提升——提升世界各地人民的生活水平、改善健康、促进繁荣、保护地球、建设和平与安全，并以尊严和尊重对待每个人。
 
这是我们的责任。全世界的民主国家都必须为我们的人民履行这项责任。
 
当我们今晚汇聚一堂时，在我看来，世界正处于一个拐点。我们在今后五年左右做出的决策将决定并塑造未来几十年的生活。
 
对美国人民来说是这样。对全世界人民来说也是这样。
 
尽管我们的决策要在当下做出，但有关原则和利害关系却永恒持久。是选择混乱还是稳定。是建设还是摧毁。是希望还是恐惧。是提升人类精神的民主还是试图扼杀这种精神的独裁者的残暴魔爪。归根结底，是享有无限的可能性还是受到严厉限制，当人们摆脱奴役并生活在自由之中时，就会享有这些可能性。自由。
自由。没有比自由更美好的词语。没有比自由更崇高的目标。没有比自由更远大的抱负。 （掌声）
 
美国人民知道这一点，你们也知道这一点。我们现在所做的一切都必须完成，以便让我们的子孙后代也知道这一点。
 
自由。
 
暴君的敌人，勇士的希望，亘古不变的真理。
 
自由。
 
与我们站在一起。我们将与你们站在一起。
 
让我们秉持信仰和信念向前迈进，并坚定地承诺与光明结盟，而不与黑暗为伍；与解放和自由同行，而不与压迫和奴役为伴。
 
愿上帝保佑你们所有人。愿上帝保佑我们的军队。愿上帝保佑乌克兰的英雄们以及全世界所有捍卫自由的人们。
 
谢谢你，波兰。谢谢你们，谢谢，谢谢你们所做的一切。（掌声）愿上帝保佑你们所有人。
 
中欧时间晚6时
 
欲查看原稿内容: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/02/21/remarks-by-president-biden-ahead-of-the-one-year-anniversary-of-russias-brutal-and-unprovoked-invasion-of-ukraine/
本译文仅供参考，只有英文原稿才可以被视为权威资料来源。

Remarks by President Biden Ahead of the One-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Brutal and Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine

FEBRUARY 21, 2023
The Royal Castle in WarsawWarsaw, Poland
5:39 P.M. CET
THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Poland!  (Applause.)  One of our great allies.  President Duda, Prime Minister — Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Mayor, and to all the former ministers and presidents, as well as mayors and Polish political leaders from all across the country: Thank you for welcoming me back to Poland.
You know, it was nearly one year ago — (applause) — nearly one year ago I spoke at the Royal Castle here in Warsaw, just weeks after Vladimir Putin had unleashed his murderous assault on Ukraine.  The largest land war in Europe since World War Two had begun.  And the principles that had been the cornerstone of peace, prosperity, and stability on this planet for more than 75 years were at risk of being shattered.
One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv.  Well, I have just come from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report: Kyiv stands strong!  (Applause.)  Kyiv stands proud.  It stands tall.  And most important, it stands free.  (Applause.)
When Russia invaded, it wasn’t just Ukraine being tested.  The whole world faced a test for the ages.
Europe was being tested.  America was being tested.  NATO was being tested.  All democracies were being tested.  And the questions we faced were as simple as they were profound.
Would we respond or would we look the other way?  Would we be strong or would we be weak?  Would be — we would — would we be — all of our allies — would be united or divided?
One year later, we know the answer.
We did respond.  We would be strong.  We would be united.   And the world would not look the other way.  (Applause.)
We also faced fundamental questions about the commitment to the most basic of principles.  Would we stand up for the sovereignty of nations?  Would we stand up for the right of people to live free from naked aggression?  Would we stand up for democracy?
One year later, we know the answers.
Yes, we would stand up for sovereignty.  And we did.
Yes, we would stand up for the right of people to live free from aggression.  And we did.
And we would stand up for democracy.  And we did.
And yesterday, I had the honor to stand with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv to declare that we will keep standing up for these same things no matter what.  (Applause.)
When President Putin ordered his tanks to roll into Ukraine, he thought we would roll over.  He was wrong.
The Urai- — 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 Findalization [Finlandization] of NATO.  Instead, he got the NATOization of Finland — and Sweden.  (Applause.)
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 Russil [sic] fo- — 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.  (Applause.)
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.
Because in the mo- — moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, that knowing what you stand for is most important, and knowing who stands with you makes all the difference.
The people of Poland know that.  You know that.  In fact, you know — you know it better than anyone here in Poland.  Because that’s what solidarity means.
Through partition and oppression, when the beautiful city was destroyed after the Warsaw Uprising, during decades under the iron fist of communist rule, Poland endured because you stood together.
That’s how the brave leaders of the opposition and the people of Belarus continue to fight for their democracy.
That’s how the resolve of Moldovan people — (applause) — resolve of the people of Moldova to live in freedom gained them independence and put them on the path to EU membership.
President Sandu is here today.  I’m not sure where she is.  But I’m proud to stand with you and the freedom-loving people of Moldova.  Give her a round of applause.  (Applause.)
One year in- — one year into this war, Putin no longer doubts the strength of our coalition.  But he still doubts our conviction.  He doubts our staying power.  He doubts our continued support for Ukraine.  He doubts whether NATO can remain unified.
But there should be no doubt: Our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire.  (Applause.)
President Putin’s craven lust for land and power will fail.  And the Ukrainian people’s love for their country will prevail.
Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow, and forever.  (Applause.)  For that’s what — that’s what’s at stake here: freedom.
That’s the message I carried to Kyiv yesterday, directly to the people of Ukraine.
When President Zelenskyy said — he came to the United States in December — quote — he said this struggle will define the world and what our children and grandchildren — how they live, and then their children and grandchildren.
He wasn’t only speaking about the children and grandchildren of Ukraine.  He was speaking about all of our children and grandchildren.  Yours and mine.
We’re seeing again today what the people of Poland and the people all across Europe saw for decades: Appetites of the autocrat cannot be appeased.  They must be opposed.
Autocrats only understand one word: “No.”  “No.”  “No.”  (Applause.)
“No, you will not take my country.”  “No, you will not take my freedom.”  “No, you will not take my future.”
And I’ll repeat tonight what I said last year in this same place: A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never be able to ease [erase] the people’s love of liberty.  Brutality will never grind down the will of the free.  And Ukraine — Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia.  Never.  (Applause.)
For free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness.
You know, this has been an extraordinary year in every sense.
Extraordinary brutality from Russian forces and mercenaries.  They have committed depravities, crimes against humanity, without shame or compunction.  They’ve targeted civilians with death and destruction.  Used rape as a weapon of war.  Stolen Ukrainian children in an attempt to — in an attempt to steal Ukraine’s future.  Bombed train stations, maternity hospitals, schools, and orphanages.
No one — no one can turn away their eyes from the atrocities Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people.  It’s abhorrent.  It’s abhorrent.
But extraordinarily, as well, has been the response of the Ukrainian people and the world.
One year after the bombs began to fall and Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, Ukraine is still independent and free.  (Applause.)
From Kherson to Kharkiv, Ukrainian fighters 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.
And the world has already voted multiple times, including in the United Nations General Assembly, to condemn Russia’s aggression and support a just peace.
Each time in the U.N., that vote has been overwhelming.
In October, 143 nations in the United Nations condemned Russia’s illegal annexation.  Only four — four in the entire U.N. — voted with Russia.  Four.
So, tonight, I speak once more to the people of Russia.
The United States and the nations of Europe do not seek to control or destroy Russia.  The West was not plotting to attack Russia, as Putin said today.  And millions of Russian citizens who only want to live in peace with their neighbors are not the enemy.
This war was never a necessity; it’s a tragedy.
President Putin chose this war.  Every day the war continues is his choice.  He could end the war with a word.
It’s simple.  If Russia stopped invading Ukraine, it would end the war.  If Ukraine stopped defending itself against Russia, it would be the end of Ukraine.
That’s why, together, we’re making sure Ukraine can defend itself.
The United States has assembled a wor- — worldwide coalition of more than 50 nations to get critical weapons and supplies to the brave Ukrainian fighters on the frontlines.  Air defense systems, artillery, ammunition, tanks, and armored vehicles.
The European Union and its member states have stepped up with unprecedented commitment to Ukraine, not just in security assistance, but economic, and humanitarian, refugee assistance, and so much more.
To all of you here tonight: Take a moment.  And I’m serious when I say this: Turn on and look — turn around and look at one another.  Look at what you’ve done so far.
Poland is hosting more than 1.5 million refugees from this war.  God bless you.  (Applause.)
Poland’s generosity, your willingness to open your hearts and your homes, is extraordinary.
And the American people are united in our resolve as well.
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.  (Applause.)
The world is also coming together to address the global fallout from President Putin’s war.
Putin tried to starve the world, blocking the ports in the Black Sea to stop Ukraine from exporting its grain, exacerbating the global food crisis that hit developing nations in Africa especially hard.
Instead, the United States and the G7 and partners around the world answered the call with historic commitments to address the crisis and to bolster global food supplies.
And this week, my wife, Jill Biden, is traveling to Africa to help bring attention to this critical issue.
Our commitment is to the people of Ukraine and the future of Ukraine — a Ukraine that’s free, sovereign, and democratic.
That was the dream of those who declared Ukraine’s independence more than 30 years ago — who led the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity; who braved ice and fire on the Maidan and the Heavenly Hundred who died there; and those who continue still to root out Kremlin’s efforts to corrupt, coerce, and control.
It’s a dream for those Ukrainian patriots who have fought for years against Russia’s aggressions in the Donbas and the heroes who have given everything, given their lives, in the service of their beloved Ukraine.
I was honored to visit their memorial in Kyiv yesterday to pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who lost their lives, standing alongside President Zelenskyy.
The United States and our partners stand with Ukraine’s teachers, its hospital staff, its emergency responders, the workers in cities across Ukraine who are fighting to keep the power on in the face of Russia’s cruel bombardment.
We stand with the millions of refugees of this war who have found a welcome in Europe and the United States, particularly here in Poland.
Ordinary people all across Europe did whatever they could to help and continue to do so.  Polish businesses, civil society, cultural leaders — including the First Lady of Poland, who is here tonight — have led with the heart and determination, showcasing all that’s good about the human spirit.
Madam First Lady, we love you.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)
I’ll never forget, last year, visiting with refugees from Ukraine who had just arrived in Warsaw, seeing their faces exhausted and afraid — holding their children so close, worrying they might never see their fathers, their husbands, their brothers or sisters again.
In that darkest moment of their lives, you, the people of Poland, offered them safety and light.  You embraced them.  You literally embraced them.  I watched.  I watched the looks on their faces.
Meanwhile, together we have made sure that Russia is paying the price for its abuses.
We continue to maintain the largest sanctions regime ever imposed on any country in history.  And we’re going to announce more sanctions this week together with our partners.
We’ll hold accountable those who are responsible for this war.  And we will seek justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity continuing to be committed by the Russians.
You know, there is much for us to be proud of over the — all that we have achieved together this past year.  But we have to be honest and cleared-eyed as we look at the year ahead.
The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or of a year.  It’s always difficult.  It’s always important.
As Ukraine continues to defend itself against the Russian onslaught and launch counter-offensives of its own, there will continue to be hard and very bitter days, victories and tragedies.  But Ukraine is steeled for the fight ahead.  And the United States, together with our Allies and partners, are going to continue to have Ukraine’s back as it defends itself.
Next year, I will host every member of NATO for our 2024 summit in the United States.  Together, we’ll celebrate the 75th anniversary of the strongest defensive alliance in the history of the world — NATO.
And — (applause) — and let there be no doubt, the commitment of the United States to our NATO Alliance and Article 5 is rock solid.  (Applause.)  And every member of NATO knows it.  And Russia knows it as well.
An attack against one is an attack against all.  It’s a sacred oath.  (Applause.)  A sacred oath to defend every inch of NATO territory.
Over the past year, the United States has come together with our Allies and partners in an extraordinary coalition to stand against Russian aggression.
But the work in front of us is not just what we’re against, it’s about what we’re for.  What kind of world do we want to build?
We need to take the strength and capacity of this coalition and apply it to lifting up — lifting up the lives of people everywhere, improving health, growing prosperity, preserving the planet, building peace and security, treating everyone with dignity and respect.
That’s our responsibility.  The democracies of the world have to deliver it for our people.
As we gather tonight, the world, in my view, is at an — at an inflection point.  The decisions we make over the next five years or so are going to determine and shape our lives for decades to come.
That’s true for Americans.  It’s true for the people of the world.
And while decisions are ours to make now, the principles and the stakes are eternal.  A choice between chaos and stability.  Between building and destroying.  Between hope and fear.  Between democracy that lifts up the human spirit and the brutal hand of the dictator who crushes it.  Between nothing less than limitation and possibilities, the kind of possibilities that come when people who live not in captivity but in freedom.  Freedom.
Freedom.  There is no sweeter word than freedom.  There is no nobler goal than freedom.  There is no higher aspiration than freedom.  (Applause.)
Americans know that, and you know it.  And all that we do now must be done so our children and grandchildren will know it as well.
Freedom.
The enemy of the tyrant and the hope of the brave and the truth of the ages.
Freedom.
Stand with us.  We will stand with you.
Let us move forward with faith and conviction and with an abiding commitment to be allies not of darkness, but of light.  Not of oppression, but of liberation.  Not of captivity, but, yes, of freedom.
May God bless you all.  May God protect our troops.  And may God bless the heroes of Ukraine and all those who defend freedom around the world.
Thank you, Poland.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for what you’re doing.  (Applause.)  God bless you all.
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