Biden Boldly Stares Down Putin from Kyiv: A Dangerous Trip in Defense of Democracy and Biden Himself
Message sent with one picture, both in Ukraine and the United States
President Biden put the world on notice that the United States and NATO are still the “Boss” when it comes to the European theatre when he just happened to show up in downtown Kyiv this morning. We should tip our cap to the United States military and Secret Service, who coordinated what must have been a logistical nightmare. But they got Biden there. Thank goodness. Because even though the trip is primarily symbolic, this kind of symbolism can change the course of history, perhaps ending wars.
One year ago, everyone had every right to expect that Putin would have visited Kyiv many times over the course of the year. Biden got there first. Of course, Putin is in no position to go to Ukraine. Putin is afraid to even fly on a plane inside Russia for fear of sabotage. Meanwhile, Biden flew directly into Poland and took a train into Kyiv as the first president to visit a war zone without a single U.S. troop on the ground.
*
We can just take an overview of the facts from NBC News and then look at what this means for Ukraine’s future, NATO’s future, and Biden’s future.
President Joe Biden made a surprise and historic visit to war-torn Ukraine on Monday, a show of support and solidarity with a democratic nation battling for its survival after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded nearly a year ago.
News of the visit, including a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was kept tightly under wraps until Biden's arrival.
Air sirens were heard in the distance as Biden walked in the daylight with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Symbolism: Putin’s air raids don’t scare Biden or Zelensky.
**
In one of JFK’s finest hours, he declared Ich bin ein Berliner within Berlin itself. In Reagan’s absolute finest hour, he declared, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall,” and the impact reverberated through the iron curtain all the way to Moscow. And today, again in Eastern Europe and again in defense of democracy over tyranny, President Biden stood 250 miles from the Russian border and said, “One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine strands. Democracy stands.”
The single biggest symbolic gain and tangible impact of Biden’s visit is the morale boost to the Ukrainian people. The United States came to them in supporting them as the war approaches its one-year anniversary. The trip is to honor their resolve and demonstrate that the United States remains resolute in defending Ukraine, and even more so with NATO allies, who might be sacrificing more than the United States. But there is nothing like having pictures of the American president walking through your capitol to feel both pride in the job you’ve done and resolve to complete it. (They need the F-16s, and there is momentum to get Ukraine some airpower.)
But support for Ukraine isn’t the only reason the symbolism is meaningful.
As I alluded to above, it is a big message to Vladimir Putin. At one point, not long ago, Putin had an American president bow to him (“He was very strong in his assertion it was not Russia” - Helsinki), and seemingly set limits on American foreign policy. But Putin is now back on his heels. Biden must have relished not having to say, “Mr. Putin, I am standing here. You are not - nor will you, ever.” Instead, Biden said:
“Freedom is priceless. It’s worth fighting for, for as long as it takes.”
Yes. It was certainly worth having “addled Biden” make the grueling journey and stand on behalf of the United States and every NATO member to say, “We will not let you win.”
***
Have no doubt that the Ukraine war is the frontline in the war for democracy around the world. And while we cannot compare ourselves to people who have picked up guns, manned tanks, and artillery and walk as air sirens scream overhead, it doesn’t mean democracy isn’t under attack here and elsewhere. While Biden was bravely and generously walking the streets of Kyiv, Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted:
Democracy is under attack around the world, and there is a reason that Marjorie, Tucker, and many others on the MAGA end of the Republican party have called for an end to Ukrainian aid. They are on the other side of the war for democracy. They want to dissolve the United States, formerly the world’s center for democracy.
Look at the economy of Russia. Compare it to France, the U.K., Canada, Germany, and yes - the United States, countries founded upon and based in freedom and democracy. Which system builds a healthier society? More freedom? Less corruption? More wealth and opportunity? Education and advances in science? There is no comparison.
So why is our democracy under attack by Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Marjorie Taylor Greene? Why is it that “everyone” Marj talks to wants a national divorce and an end to the greatest, richest empire in modern history? Well, as Marj told us, they’re tired of having “woke” stuff “shoved down their throats.”
They will forswear democracy if it means they still get to kick certain people around.
It is not flippant - indeed, it is terrifyingly serious - to say that democracy in America is under attack because some of us Americans are finally saying, “No! I count, too. It is my country, too.” Whether it comes from Black Americans, LGBTQ Americans, immigrants like me, or scientists, it doesn’t matter. It all falls under the “woke” umbrella. And, whether it is bizarre to say this or not, Marj and her ilk WILL give up democracy if it means they get to put all this “woke” shit behind them and force everyone back into their “place,” which is below white, wealthy, Marjorie.
This fight may take longer than the Ukrainian war. It may get violent. It also involves people feeling their cultural autonomy being pulled away, “forced to accept others.” It isn’t the type of fight ripe for a quick resolution.
****
And last, there is the symbolism of Biden himself, taking a stand himself, standing up against the 35-40% of the country that doesn’t even believe he was properly elected, who believes he is too old, and that Trump or DeSantis represents strength.
No.
Biden, too, needed to do this to reassert that he is in control. He is the president of the United States. He is the one that regained the trust of our NATO partners (Trump was going to pull us out of NATO). Biden is the one trying to build this country back together, moving away from divisiveness and the politics of the petty. Biden wants to do big things. He wants to defeat Putin. He wants to live in cooperation with China. He wants to build big 21st Century grids, build 21st Century airports, build a 21st Century appreciation of pluralism, multi-culturalism, and make a 21st Century pledge that the United States will embrace people where they are, whether the white rural, the urban gay, the newly settled migrant, the people of Kyiv, and the people of Ukraine. Perhaps America’s first 21st Century president is saying that this democracy is here to stay and here for you.
*****
While others send missiles into apartment buildings or throw out dark, aggressive tweets, Biden walks in the bright sunshine of Kyiv with airhead sirens heard overhead. He is there to support the Ukrainian people first. Stare down Putin second. Stand up for democracy in Ukraine and everywhere else, including the United States, third. And last, Biden is there to reassert himself as the one to lead and challenge everyone to follow. At 78 years old, Biden is pulling us kicking and screaming toward what he sees as a better future, the 21st Century president.
That’s worth a flight to Warsaw, a ten-hour train ride, and a walk under air raid sirens. It’s worth everything, and it’s why Biden popped up today, wholly unexpectedly, in Kyiv. It’s also why we elected him, and the world exhaled…
Here for you.
*******
Please chip in some money if you can. We gained 20 subscribers with our Carter piece, and it would help our family. Substack is trying to accommodate exactly what I want. Until then, the articles continue to flow to everyone. But any pledged subscriptions go directly to help my daughter and me.
Time for a beach: Barbados