President Biden promoted a message of freedom and democracy during a major speech Tuesday from Poland to mark the upcoming first anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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Driving the news: The speech, delivered Tuesday in Warsaw, came a day after his surprise visit to Kyiv — a major sign of U.S. support for Ukraine.

What he’s saying: “I have just come from a visit to Kyiv and I can report that Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most importantly, it stands free,” Biden said during the opening of his remarks.

• “One year later we know the answers. Yes, we would stand up for sovereignty and we did. Yes, we would stand up for the right of people to live free from aggression. and we did. And we would stand up for democracy and we did.”
• Biden held a bilateral meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda ahead of his remarks, discussing “their shared efforts to support Ukraine, impose consequences on Russia, and strengthen NATO,” the White House said.

State of play: Biden had beenexpected to address the “larger contest” between aggressors seeking to “destroy fundamental principles” and the nations seeking to uphold them, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said earlier Tuesday.

• “It’s a big moment, coming off the trip to Kyiv, speaking to the people of Europe and speaking to the people of the world about America’s commitments, about America’s staying power, and about America’s follow-through on the values and principles that we hold so dear,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.
• Sullivan also praised Poland’s role in the West’s approach to the war, noting the country had been “critical” in welcoming Ukrainian refugees and serving as a logistics hub for military assistance entering Ukraine.
• “We are grateful that this visit takes place in our country,” Duda told reporters Tuesday, adding that Biden’s visit was an “important message to the world that Poland is secure.”

The big picture: Biden’s speech comes hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his own address, in which he raged against the West.