Biden warns Putin to not 'even think about moving on one single inch of NATO territory'
REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
- President Joe Biden urged Putin to not think about moving onto NATO territory.
- The warning was issued during a speech in Warsaw, Poland on Saturday.
- Biden also said that US troops are present to "defend NATO allies."
In a direct warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Joe Biden said "don't even think" about moving on NATO territory during a speech from the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday.
"America's forces are not in Europe to engage in conflict with Russian forces," Biden said. "American forces are here to defend NATO allies."
"Don't even think about moving on one single inch of NATO territory," Biden added.
—Sky News (@SkyNews) March 26, 2022
The president visited US troops in Poland on Friday who is along the country's border to bolster the presence on NATO's eastern flank and aid refugees escaping the war, according to the Associated Press.
During his speech, Biden emphasized his support for Ukrainians: "My message to the people of Ukraine is a message I delivered today to Ukraine's foreign minister and defense minister, who I believe are here tonight: We stand with you, period."
Biden also said that Putin cannot stay in power, a statement that the White House has walked back. Following his visit with Ukrainian refugees early Saturday, Biden labeled Putin as a butcher."