"Putin Was Wrong. We're Ready": Biden

In his State of the Union address, President Biden accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of waging a "premeditated and unprovoked" war against Ukraine.

"We have learned throughout history that dictators who do not pay a price for their aggression cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep mounting," Biden said in his first State of the Union address.

"That's why we created the NATO Alliance after World War II to keep peace and stability in Europe. The US is a member along with 29 other nations. It matters. American diplomacy matters," he said, launching a blistering attack against Putin.

"Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected diplomatic efforts. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. And, he thought he could divide us at home. He was wrong. We were ready," Biden said.

Biden said that his Russian counterpart badly miscalculated the attack on Ukraine.

"In this struggle as President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy said in his speech to the European Parliament, 'Light will win over darkness.'

Tonight, the Ukrainian ambassador to the US is here. Each of us here tonight in this chamber should send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world," he said amid applause from a packed room of lawmakers.

Biden said the US and its allies prepared extensively and carefully.

We countered Russia's lies with truth. And now that he has acted, the free world is holding him accountable," he said to another round of applause.

"We are choking off Russia's access to technology that will sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come. Tonight I say to the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime no more," he said.

Biden said a Russian dictator invading a foreign country, has cost around the world. "And I'm taking robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions is targeted at Russia's economy. And I will use every tool at our disposal to protect American businesses and consumers," he said.

He said that when the history of this era is written, Putin's war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.

Biden said that the US Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs.

He said the Russian stock market has lost 40% of its value and trading remains suspended. He added that Russia's economy is reeling, and Putin alone is to blame.

Biden also affirmed that the US forces are not engaged in conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine and will not do so. The purpose of our deployment to Europe is not to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO Allies if Putin continues to move west, he said.

As part of his address, Vice President Biden touched on some of the year-old administration's major achievements and some of the key challenges facing the nation, both domestically and internationally.

"Moving goods faster and cheaper in America, more jobs where you can earn a good living in America, and instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let's make it here," he said.