“Biden resolutely defends Ukrainian sovereignty”: how Biden and Zelensky’s phone conversation went

Kremlin relations

On June 7, the US president held a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine, and also invited him to visit the White House this summer after he returns from Europe. 

AFP 2021

The leaders discussed a strategic partnership in support of President Zelensky’s anti-corruption plan. During the call, President Biden reaffirmed the United States ‘ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing “aggression” in the Donbas and Crimea.  

“Joseph Biden reaffirmed the United States’ continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” — Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Later, Zelensky touched on the need for close cooperation in the field of energy security and the fight against COVID-19, including the US plans to provide 900,000 doses of the vaccine to Ukraine.  

At the end of the conversation, Zelensky announced that the meeting would take place in July, noting that he was looking forward to the meeting and wanted to discuss expanding cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. Zelensky’s talks with Biden will be scheduled before the US president goes to a summit with Vladimir Putin in Geneva on June 16.

RIA Novosti 

However, later there was an offer to organize a personal meeting, not a telephone conversation. On June 7, Vladimir Zelensky said in an interview that he would like to talk with Biden before the summit with Putin in Geneva. He argued that ” … such negotiations should take place face to face, since many things simply cannot be discussed over the phone.”