President Joe Biden used his State of the Union Address to tell Americans he’s prepared for the U.S. military to protect other North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries if Russia extends its invasion of Ukraine to other nations.
The president said he has mobilized American ground forces, air squadrons and ship deployments to protect many NATO countries, including Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
“But let me be clear: Our forces are not engaged and will not engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine," Biden said. "Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west.”
Biden addressed Americans from the U.S. Capitol in his State of the Union address March 1.
The president told Americans that, with its allies, the country is providing support to the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom, including military assistance, economic assistance and humanitarian assistance.
Biden told listeners the U.S. and its allies are committed to defending and protecting every inch of NATO territory "with the full force of our collective power" as Russia continues to provoke conflict and destruction.
NATO currently consists of 30 members countries. Together, these countries guarantee freedom and security to one another through military and political means.
