White House: Biden will give important speech in Poland
At the daily press briefing, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby and White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre briefed reporters on Biden’s visit to the capital. Polish, Warsaw, from February 20 to 22.
White House spokesman Jean-Pierre said Biden will deliver an “important speech” in Warsaw, noting that the president wanted to do it before the first year of the Russia-Ukraine war. Coordinator Kirby said that Biden will deliver his speech on the night of February 21.
Noting that Biden will also meet Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday, Kirby said the leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation as well as efforts to strengthen NATO deterrence.
Pointing to Poland’s logistical role in the context of the war in Ukraine, Kirby said Biden would thank Duda for his support on both this issue and Ukraine refugees.
Kirby stressed that for Biden, his visit to Poland was “an important trip that he will take at a crucial time.”
THERE IS NO VISIT TO UKRAINE IN THE PLAN
Coordinator Kirby said that next week, Biden will meet by phone with the leaders of the allied countries such as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as the leaders of the countries of the NATO’s eastern wing, also known as the Bucharest Nine (B9). .
Noting that Biden has no plans to visit other than Warsaw, Kirby noted that a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is not on his travel plan.
“THE RUSSIANS CAN INCREASE THEIR ATTACKS AS IT GETS HOT”
Kirby noted that clashes are not common in the country due to weather conditions, but that Russia may expand its attacks when the weather improves.
Saying that Russia, which is currently focusing on Bahmut, may increase its offensive operations from the northeast to the southwest, Kirby stressed that they will try to use the time until the weather improves to support Ukraine.
Kirby stated that Russia has made progress in Bahmut in recent days and reiterated his view that even if the Russians were to occupy this region, it would have no strategic value in terms of the course of the war.
On the other hand, on the occasion of the first year of the Russia-Ukraine War, the US and its allies are expected to announce new sanctions against Russia. (AA)