President biden
Joe BidenDeath’s toll due to winter weather rises to at least 40: AP On The Money: Internal panels on GameStop, Robinhood | Manchin meets wage advocates | Yellen says to go big, GOP says to wait Main political donor sentenced to 12 years in prison for illegal campaign contributions MORE on Friday, he warned that “democratic progress is under attack” in the United States and Europe, as he pledged support for the transatlantic alliance and asked countries to work together to address common challenges.
“We are at an inflection point between those who argue that, given all the challenges we face, from the fourth industrial revolution to a global pandemic, that autocracy is the best way forward, they argue, and those who understand that democracy it is essential, essential to address these challenges, ”said Biden in comments from the East Room of the White House that were televised in a virtual session of the Munich Security Conference.
“Historians will examine and write about this moment as an inflection point, as I said. And I believe with every millimeter of my being that democracy will and must prevail, ”continued Biden.
Biden, a regular presence at the Munich Security Conference over the years, affirmed his commitment to European partners and alliances, in contrast to his predecessor, the former President Trump
Donald TrumpThune: Trump allies participating in the ‘cancellation culture’ by punishing senators who voted to condemn the Biden government open to restart nuclear talks with Iran The Trump-McConnell rift divides Republican donors MORE, which has often rejected multilateral organizations and criticized alliances and whose “America first” approach to foreign policy has sometimes caused friction with Europe.
“I am sending a clear message to the world, America is back. The transatlantic alliance is back and we are not looking back. We are looking forward together, ”said Biden.
Biden made the speech after a private meeting with the leaders of the Group of Seven nations at a virtual conference organized by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson. His comments were aimed at reassuring European allies after four years of turmoil under Trump, whose name he did not mention during the speech.
Biden’s comments came almost two months after the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol by a crowd of Trump supporters.
Biden issued a firm rebuke to Russia for its aggressive behavior in Europe and cyberspace. He pledged support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and NATO alliance, accusing the Russian president Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinJan. 6 and America’s support for democracy abroad Calling on the Moscow bluff, Biden, to take ‘executive action’ to deal with the SolarWinds breach MORE trying to divide and weaken the partnership between the US and Europe.
“Putin seeks to weaken the European project and our alliance with NATO. He wants to undermine transatlantic unity and its determination because it is much easier for the Kremlin to intimidate and threaten individual states than to negotiate with a strong and closely aligned transatlantic community, ”said Biden.
The president urged the United States and its European allies to work together to address Russia’s aggressive behavior and China’s economic abuses and undemocratic practices.
Biden’s rhetoric about Russia differed notably from Trump, who often spoke warmly of Putin and avoided calling Moscow publicly for his evil behavior.
Although Biden recognized the challenges presented by China and Russia, he also pleaded with the global community to work together on shared challenges, such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change. Biden announced plans to send $ 2 billion immediately to support Covax, the global initiative to vaccinate populations in low-income countries.
“We cannot and must not return to reflexive opposition and the rigid blocks of the Cold War. Competition must not impede cooperation on issues that affect us all, ”said Biden.
Biden made the comments immediately after his meeting with the leaders of the other G7 countries – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.
After the meeting, G7 leaders issued a joint statement promising to work together to fight the coronavirus and help countries around the world to recover. The statement noted that G7 financial support for Covax totals $ 7.5 billion.
“Based on our strengths and values as democratic and open societies and economies, we will work together and with others to make 2021 a turning point for multilateralism and to shape a recovery that promotes the health and prosperity of our people and planet , ”The reading statement.