“What a difference a year makes.”

DGAP Keynote on Ukraine

Thank you Martin Bialecki for this kind introduction and thank you to the German Council on Foreign Relations for hosting this important discussion tonight.

Dear panelists, colleagues and friends, I appreciate your support of this event and the cause that is shaping our times.

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight marks the eve of the one-year anniversary of Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine, the largest land war in Europe since World War II. Let’s remember that Ukraine, like Germany, is a sovereign, democratic, European state that threatens nobody. Russian disinformation wants the world to question these simple facts – we know better.

In this war, a state actor – Russia – has compromised the rules and norms that have brought unprecedented security and prosperity to people around the world since the end of World War II. We are all threatened because every day – for the last 365 days – Putin has decided to continue this brutal, senseless and illegal war.

My message tonight is – what a difference a year makes.

The countless acts of Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people are outrageous. The physical scale of the brutality is overwhelming, and the moral cost of Russian aggression is even greater.

Since the early days of this unprovoked war, Russian armed forces and mercenaries have shamelessly engaged in atrocities and committed war crimes without remorse. Their illegal actions are an attack on our common values ​​and our common humanity. Our shared values ​​require that we do everything we can to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable. There can be no impunity.

The Russians are also feeling the aftermath of this senseless war – Putin’s wish war. Despite what President Putin said this week, the United States and European nations have no desire to control or destroy Russia.

A year ago, at the Munich Security Conference, Vice President Harris publicly proclaimed that “at this crucial moment, we have all eyes on Ukraine.” As Putin deployed his forces and encircled Ukraine, many still wondered about his intentions. Would our best efforts to urge Moscow to come to its senses work? How would NATO, allies and partners react in the likely event of a Russian invasion? It was a time of questioning.

What a difference a year makes.

Putin thought he could divide us. Instead, we are stronger and better aligned than ever.

Russian troops thought they could invade Kiev and set up a puppet government. Instead, the residents of this city and many others showed their would-be invaders that Ukrainian democracy was real and worth fighting for.

The Kremlin thought they could hold the world hostage with energy. Instead, America’s allies and partners in Europe – all of you sitting here – have taken the necessary steps to eliminate dependence on Russian gas. You have paved the way to a greener future.

So much so that Vice President Harris proudly declared at this year’s MSC last weekend: “Kiev is still standing, Russia is weak. The transatlantic alliance is stronger than ever. And most importantly, the spirit of the Ukrainian people lives on.”

What a difference a year can make.

Even though we’ve come this far, I’m here tonight to urge everyone in this room to move on so that we can look back a year from now and continue to say what a difference a year can make. We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

What we have experienced in the past year is downright historic. It is perfect proof that our common values, our common interests and most importantly – our common morals – transcend national borders and demand that we do our utmost to stand by Ukraine.

There are not enough words to describe my admiration for the courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of Putin’s brutality. But allow me to say a few select words here tonight in the spirit of our fundamental ethical unity. Today Ukraine is a country of heroes. Heroes who continue to face brutal aggression. The agents of this aggression must be held accountable.

We know that Russian forces have executed execution-style murders of Ukrainian men, women and children. We know they torture civilians in custody by beating, electrocuting, mock executions and raping them.

Russian officials have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians to Russia, including children who have been forcibly separated from their families. These actions are not accidental or spontaneous. They are part of the Kremlin’s widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population of Ukraine. Against our Ukrainian brothers, Russia is committing nothing less than crimes against humanity.

The level of human suffering the Kremlin is inflicting on Ukrainian civilians is outrageous – and it is staggering.

I stand here tonight to say that our common and most fundamental values ​​require that we do everything in our power to hold accountable those responsible for these crimes. There can be no impunity.

Together we will help defend democracy and sovereignty of Ukraine. The United States of America will work with Germany and all of our transatlantic partners to achieve peace and justice for the people of Ukraine. And we will all stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Slava Ukraine.

Let me say it as clearly as possible: Russia remains the only obstacle to peace in Ukraine. Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukraine are the latest proof that President Putin has no interest in meaningful diplomacy at this time; If he doesn’t erase Ukraine’s independence, he will try to force Ukraine into a frozen conflict, hold on to its achievements, rest and rearm its forces, and then attack again at some point. Russia and Russia alone can end this war TODAY.

As President Biden said, winning the war in Ukraine means getting Russia completely out of Ukraine. Recognition of the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. As our President underlined during his historic visits to Kiev and Warsaw this week, the moral imperative compels us to act, act now, and act until Ukraine realizes victory has been won. The struggle in Ukraine has far-reaching global implications. At stake are the fundamental moral foundations of freedom, sovereignty, security, the rule of law and human rights around the world.

The United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to allow Ukraine to continue defending itself, to allow Ukraine to be in the strongest position at the negotiating table when the time comes, to then allow Ukraine to rebuild and move on with its democracy strengthen.

You may know that I like to quote my fellow Pennsylvania native, Benjamin Franklin. As we stand on the doorstep of Russia’s brutal year-long war against Ukraine, please allow me to cite one of his more famous dictums: “Time lost is never found.” A year of senseless and unprovoked violence means a lost year for countless Ukrainians and others who are affected by this war.

Think about what our Ukrainian brothers and sisters missed. Birthdays, weddings, celebrated together. A safe home. Warm meals filled with laughter from family and friends. They could have made a living for a year, but were instead drafted or forced to leave the country.

But lost time is the best case. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in this war, including many civilians in this brutal war – Putin’s war.

Time is not on Putin’s side. Ukrainians continue to be tried and tested as they were last year. The transatlantic union will continue to be tested and tested, as it was last year. I am sure that Ukraine will be up to the task and we will be up to the task. What a difference a year makes.

And as we mark the solemn anniversary tomorrow, we will all remember the enormous human cost of this war. Let us draw strength from the examples of brave Ukrainians as we demonstrate our collective solidarity with their heroic struggle.

Now that we all know the difference a year makes, I look forward to working with you to make next year even more meaningful.