Biden Blasts Putin In First 2022 Commencement Address

Topline

During an emotional commencement address Friday at the U.S. Naval Academy, President Joe Biden attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin for seeking to destroy Ukraine during Russia’s invasion of its neighbor.

President Joe Biden speaks at the U.S. Naval Academy’s graduation ceremony on Friday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Key Facts

While raising his voice and angrily wagging his finger, Biden said Putin is “literally trying to wipe out the culture and identity of the Ukrainian people.”

Biden said Putin’s “brutal, brutal war in Ukraine” is part of “an inflection point, not only in American history, but in world history.

The Covid-19 pandemic, rising inflation globally and the climate crisis also contribute to what Biden called the “decisive decade of the century.”

Crucial Quote

Russia’s actions in Ukraine are a “direct assault on the fundamental tenets of rule-based international order,” Biden said Friday, referencing mounting war crimes accusations against Russia.

Key Background

Biden’s comments mark his latest attack against Putin, calling the Russian leader a war criminal in March and advocating for Putin to face a war crimes trial in April. Biden first accused Russia of committing genocide against the Ukrainian people last month, saying Putin sought to “wipe out the idea of even being Ukrainian.” Biden’s claim Friday of Russian forces attacking schools, nurseries, hospitals and museums during the invasion are backed by evidence, though Russia has maintained it doesn’t target civilians.

Tangent

Instead of achieving his supposed goal of pushing much of Europe into military neutrality, Putin “NATO-ized all of Europe,” Biden said Friday, gloating about Sweden and Finland’s applications to join the alliance submitted last week in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What To Watch For

On Saturday, Biden will deliver the commencement address at the University of Delaware, his alma mater.