Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was particularly scathing. referring to the enlargement of NATO, she pointed out to the Russian president “Too bad, Vladimir. You did it to yourself.”

Returning to the State Department for the unveiling of her official portrait, Clinton among other things expressed her distaste for the policies of Republican former President Donald Trump, whom she had defeated in the 2016 US presidential election.

Clinton also addressed the skepticism allies might have about whether the U.S. would ultimately be able to muster the necessary support in Ukraine in 2022 because of Trump’s legacy. which had led to estrangement from the allies.

“People might have questioned that because we had burned so many bridges with our allies and friends,” he told current and former officials.

“Restoring a foreign policy that actually brings people together, not apart, has been a difficult undertaking, but it has been achieved,” he added, thanking Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken for helping “restore America’s standing.”

Clinton said Democratic US President Joe Biden sought to fulfill many of the Obama administration’s prioritiesin which she was the top US diplomat and he served as Barack Obama’s vice president.

“Defending democracy in Ukraine, expanding NATO, too bad Vladimir, you did it to yourself,” he said, drawing laughter and applause.

“We have always said, people are not forced to join NATO. People choose and want to join NATO,” he added.

Clinton referred to what she saw as Biden and Obama’s shared priorities “NATO expansion, countering Russian aggression and managing challenges from China.”

She joked that it had been a long time since she had seen the portrait, which depicted her looking off into the distance against a backdrop of an enlarged American flag.