After President Biden flew to Ukraine to visit Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky to provide aid amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, he went on to make a stop in Warsaw, Poland. Poland has proven an important place for Ukrainians to take refuge in the past year. Biden met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and delivered an address regarding the U.S.’ involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the speech, Biden essentially expressed that Russia’s invasion of democratic Ukraine signified a threat to democracy worldwide.
Biden’s direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin was applauded and criticized alike by Americans for different reasons.
BREAKING: Pres. Biden makes remarks in Warsaw, Poland, ahead of anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine: "One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I just come from a visit to Kyiv and I can report Kyiv stands strong." https://t.co/2Si4iNmYPt pic.twitter.com/xmdTGmfyFg
— ABC News (@ABC) February 21, 2023
Some felt that Biden’s address was a powerful show of allyship and support for global democracy. Amid Republicans like 2024 presidential hopeful Nikki Haley questioning Biden’s intelligence based on his age, some felt that this trip to Europe goes to show that his stamina should not be questioned.
If any other president made a 20-hour trip to Ukraine, met with President Zelenskyy in a literal war zone, & then traveled to Warsaw, Poland to give a historic speech in front of thousands of people, we wouldn’t be questioning their age or stamina. Just saying.
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) February 21, 2023
The criticism of the visit came primarily from Republican politicians and voters, who feel that the U.S. should not be assisting Ukraine due to their lack of membership in The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Additionally, an unrelated clean water crisis befell the town of East Palestine, Ohio on the same day that Biden quietly left for Ukraine. A derailed train leaked toxic fuel into the town’s water supply. The Mayor of East Palestine said in a press conference that it was a “slap in the face” that Biden did not visit the small town in person, and instead opted to travel to Europe.
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern, the company whose train crashed in East Palestine, to clean up the water supply that their train destroyed. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated that he will also be making his way down to East Palestine when the time is right.
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The U.S. support for war in Ukraine has been like a U.S. proxy war with Russia.
But now it’s becoming more like a U.S.- China war through the Ukraine – Russia war.
End it now!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene???????? (@RepMTG) February 20, 2023
East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway defends saying it was “the biggest slap in the face” for President Biden to visit Ukraine while Ohio deals with chemical fallout from the train derailment:
“I was very frustrated, and I stand by those comments.” pic.twitter.com/iTEnaiwlNw
— The Recount (@therecount) February 21, 2023
Amid all of the controversies, the internet has spiraled into a panic about what some feel is an impending third world war. And as usual, what better way to cope than through memes on the internet. Many took to Twitter to share humorous clips paired with captions about why they couldn’t be drafted into World War III. The draft ended in 1973, while the U.S. was still at war with Vietnam. Anti-war and anti-draft protests were widespread across the nation, which is likely what led to this decision. Since then, the U.S. military has run entirely on voluntary service.
When they ask why I can’t participate in World War III pic.twitter.com/oC3VIOiKPL
— Pshh *️⃣ (@pshhhh_unreal) February 21, 2023
Me when the Government wants me to enlist for World War III pic.twitter.com/aEMX0WZ16Z
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) February 21, 2023
Me when my World War III letter comes in the mail pic.twitter.com/1QYgXLuNpA
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) February 21, 2023
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Some expressed darkly humorous sentiments surrounding how Gen Z members of the military would act. This would be the first armed conflict involving the U.S. to begin in their adult lives, and to begin in the age of internet culture.
Me showing up to World War III recruitment camp pic.twitter.com/3bMzaBer3r
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) February 21, 2023
Me nervously trying to act calm when I see World War III trending pic.twitter.com/NdoEYTbJoP
— GeoffinLincoln (@GeoffinLincoln) February 21, 2023
Despite the memes being used as a coping mechanism, many remain aware of the severity of what a nuclear war would really mean for the world. A war of such scale with modern technology would decimate thousands of cities and lives.
Why are so many people so keen to start World War 3?
— Chloe Bairnes (@CBairnes) February 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/1stitch2gether7/status/1628170925102272518?s=20
The U.S. is not required to send American troops to Ukraine at this point, as Ukraine is not a member of NATO. So far, the aid provided has been primarily in the form of equipment, but there are a few troops deployed as reserves in southeastern Romania in case of an emergency.
