US President Joe Biden delivered a public speech at Vilnius University as the NATO summit concluded on Wednesday. “I’m proud to call Lithuania a friend, partner, and ally,” Biden told Lithuanians in Vilnius.
“It’s good to be back in Vilnius – a nation and a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom. Together with your brothers and sisters in Estonia and Latvia, you helped to end the era of division through the power of connection. The Baltic Way, not the Berlin Wall, became the symbol for Europe’s future,” Biden said.
“I had the great honour as a United States Senator to champion Lithuania and other Baltic states to join NATO in 2004. Wasn't I brilliant doing that?” he joked.
“But all kidding aside, think about how it's changed things. Think about what's happened now. Over the last few days, as a president of the United States, I had the honour of participating in a historic NATO summit hosted by Lithuania, where we welcomed NATO's newest ally, Finland, and reached an agreement to bring Sweden into the alliance as soon as possible,” Biden added.
“We've witnessed your historic journey, and I'm proud to call Lithuania a friend, partner, and ally.”
During his speech at Vilnius University, Biden also reiterated the importance of NATO and the US commitment to its allies' security.
“An attack against one is an attack against all. Because each member of NATO knows that the strength of our people and the power of our unity cannot be denied. If I sound optimistic is because I am today. Our alliance remains a bulwark of global security and stability, as it has been for more than seven decades,” he said.
“NATO is stronger, more energised and, yes, more united than ever in its history,” the US president added. “When Putin and his craven lust for land and power unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. But he thought wrong.”
He also stressed that the US and NATO will stand by Ukraine until its victory against Russia's aggression.
“When Russian bombs began to fall, we did not hesitate to act. We rallied the world to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their liberty and their sovereignty with incredible dignity.
Think about what they're doing. After nearly a year and a half of Russia's forces committing terrible atrocities, including crimes against humanity, the people of Ukraine remain unbroken. Ukraine remains independent. It remains free,” he told the audience in Vilnius
“We will not waver. I mean that our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes,” Biden said followed by the crowd's ovation.
He also praised Lithuania's support of Ukraine.
“Throughout this horrific war, the people of Lithuania have been among the fiercest champions of Ukraine's right to a future of its own choosing, one that is free. Because you lived so long with freedom denied. Many of you who are older know better than anyone how precious the right to determine your own future is.”
“So my message to all of you tonight is keep it up. Keep it going. Keep reminding the world of the hope that Lithuania embodies,” Biden said.
Watch the full speech here:
President Biden is the second sitting US head of state to visit Lithuania. President George W Bush came to Vilnius in 2002.
Thousands of people were queuing to get a spot at the Grand Courtyard of Vilnius University hours before the event. People were admitted on a first-come first-served basis.
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