Putin 'Cannot Remain in Power', Biden Says During Warsaw Address

US President Joe Biden said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” during an address in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday, March 26.

“My message to the people of Ukraine is the message I delivered today to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, who I believe are here tonight: We stand with you. Period, " Biden said, addressing crowds at Warsaw’s Royal Castle.

“A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase a people’s love for liberty. Brutality will never grind down their will to be free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia…For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power,” Biden went on to say at the end of his speech.

Following the remarks, a White House official said the President was referring to Putin exercising power outside of Russia. “He was not discussing Putin’s power in Russia, or regime change,” the official said. Credit: President Biden via Storyful

Video transcript

JOE BIDEN: --generation. Let's remember the hammer blow that brought down the Berlin Wall, the might that lifted the Iron Curtain were not the words of a single leader, it was the people of Europe who for decades fought to free themselves, their sheer bravery, open the border between Austria and Hungary for the Pan-European Picnic. They joined hands for the Baltic way. They stood for solidarity here in Poland. And together, it was an unmistakable and undeniable force of the people that the Soviet Union could not withstand. And we're seeing it once again today with a brave Ukrainian people, showing that their power of many is greater than the will of any one dictator. So in this hour, let the words of Pope John Paul burn as brightly today, "never ever give up hope, never doubt, never tired, never become discouraged. Be not afraid." A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase the people's love for liberty. Brutality will never grind down there will to be free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia for free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness. We will have a different future, a brighter future rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light, of decency and dignity, of freedom and possibilities. For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power. God bless you all, and may God defend our freedom. And may God protect our troops. Thank you for your patience. Thank you. Thank you.