First the hugs, the selfies and the smiles with the Ukrainian refugees, especially the children. But soon after Joe Biden puts on the role of the villain and uses harsh words - perhaps the harshest ever used against Vladimir Putin - even going so far as to evoke regime change in Russia.
It is the day of the American president in Warsaw, Poland. First he plays the role of the Consoler-in Chief: “It's amazing to see all these children”, he says impressed by the “resilience” and the “spirit” of the refugees. "You are brave," he says, shakes hands, stops with the volunteers and sees the "swirl of emotions" in the eyes of the children.
But soon after, he returns to being the Commander-in-Chief, tougher and more menacing than ever. "Putin is a butcher", he tells the refugees, stating that he does not believe in the announced change of strategy in Moscow which would be enough to continue the Donbass.
After the meeting with the refugees, a speech at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, a symbolic place destroyed by the Nazis in 1944 and completely rebuilt only recently. It begins with a quote from John Paul II, Biden. "Do not be afraid," he says, remembering that these words "changed the world".
But his is a verbal escalation, which leads him for the first time to evoke regime change in Moscow. "Let's get ready for a long battle for freedom", he says, recalling that in this battle "Ukraine is at the forefront" and that Russia is "strangling democracy, not just at home".
"Vladimir Putin has the audacity to say he is right, but there is no justification for this invasion, Russia's actions threaten to bring decades of war," is the ominous prediction. "Putin - continues Biden - must not even think about touching a centimeter of NATO territory, article 5 of the treaty (according to which an armed attack against one or more members of the Alliance will be considered an attack on all parties) is a sacred obligation ". Then he remembers that the West is "stronger and more united than ever", stressing that this war is already a "strategic failure" for Moscow.
Finally the lunge, the evocation of a change of regime: “Putin is a dictator who tries to build an empire. For God's sake, this man can't stay in power. But don't be afraid. A dictator who wants to rebuild an empire will never erase people's love for freedom ”.
THE REPLY - Words that provoke an immediate reply from Moscow: "Biden's new insults to Putin further narrow the window of opportunity to mend relations between Russia and the United States," said the Kremlin, quoted by Tass.
As for the regime change evoked by the US president, "it is not something that Biden decides, it is only a choice of the citizens of the Russian Federation", says Dmitry Peskov.
"It is strange - observes the Kremlin spokesman - to hear accusations against Putin from Biden, who invited them to bomb Yugoslavia and kill people".
(Unioneonline / L)