U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will say Tuesday that the West was prepared for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and that his administration possesses a plan to combat inflation, according to excerpts of his State of the Union address.
“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising,” Biden will say, according to White House excerpts of his speech.
During the speech, Biden will assert that Putin avoided anything that would have prevented the war.
“Putin’s war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. And, he thought he could divide us here at home,” Biden will say. “Putin was wrong. We were ready.”
In his remarks, the president will also call for the U.S. to produce more automobiles and semiconductors.
“My plan to fight inflation will lower your costs and lower the deficit,” he will say.
It is also expected for him to address a growing epidemic of student mental health issues.
Tuesday night, President Obama will likely reiterate his call to protect democracy, telling Congress that Western allies must confront aggressors or suffer the consequences.