What Biden should have said in his State of the Union address

Great presidential speeches come from great moments in history. With Ukrainians making a valiant stand to repel Russian invaders, President Biden had just such a moment on Tuesday night — and utterly failed to meet it.

He took a State of the Union address that was first drafted weeks before and stapled a new Ukraine section on the top — one that did little more than pat himself on the back for the great job he has done rallying the world to punish Putin. He did not explain what was at stake if Putin were allowed to succeed or commit the United States to doing what is necessary to help Ukraine stop him. And he failed to deliver a clear message to Putin that his aggression will not stand.

Here is what Biden should have said on Ukraine in his State of the Union address:

My fellow Americans, as we gather in this chamber, war is raging in the heart of Europe — and brave Ukrainians are risking their lives to defend their country. We have just witnessed the worst act of unprovoked aggression in Europe since World War II. This is a threat not just to Ukraine but to the peace and security of the entire free world. If Vladimir Putin is allowed to conquer his neighbor, then tyrants from Asia to the Middle East will be emboldened to do the same. And if Putin is allowed to swallow up Ukraine’s young democracy, make no mistake — he will not stop in Kyiv.

American troops will not fight this war. Brave Ukrainians are ready and willing to fight and die for their country. All they ask for is our support — and they will have it . ...

This will require sacrifice on our part. I know Americans are struggling today with record inflation. I also know that Americans do not want to subsidize Putin’s bullets and bombs every time we fill up our gas tanks. The fact is every barrel of oil we buy from Russia today comes with Ukrainian blood on it. So, tonight I am announcing crippling new sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas industry. And to ease the burden on American consumers, I am lifting all restrictions my administration has placed on domestic energy production. Yes, we must save the planet — but first we must save Ukraine.

Tonight, I have a message for the Ukrainian people: Americans have been inspired by your daring and resilience. We will help you as you defend your capital. And whether Kyiv stands or falls in the coming days, we will continue to support the forces of a Free Ukraine . ...

Tonight, I have a message for the Russian people: I know most of you do not support Putin’s aggression. You do not want your children committing atrocities on Putin’s orders or dying for an unjust cause. But now we have reached a moment of truth, and every Russian must make a choice. From his prison cell, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called on Russians to take to the streets and deliver this message: “Putin is not Russia” and “We — Russia — want to be a nation of peace.” Heed his call. Make clear to the world that Putin is not Russia, that Russia is a nation of peace and that you will no longer tolerate the slaughter of innocents in your name.

Finally, I have a message tonight for Vladimir Putin: By invading Ukraine, you have violated international law. By targeting innocent civilians, you have committed crimes of war. By threatening the world with nuclear weapons, you have shown what a reckless tyrant you are. You have gravely miscalculated. Unless you turn back now, your misadventure in Ukraine will end the same way as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan — in retreat, humiliation and collapse. The Ukrainian people will fight until all Russian forces are expelled from their country — and they will have the support of the American people, the NATO alliance and the entire free world.

Mr. Putin, your aggression against Ukraine is unlawful; your aggression is unjust; and your aggression — Will. Not. Stand.