Zelensky reports on his latest ‘lengthy call’ with Biden
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed de-escalation efforts and the next diplomatic steps with regard to Russia with U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelensky tweeted late on Jan. 27.
“Had a lengthy phone call with President Biden; we discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts and agreed on a mutual course of action,” Zelensky tweeted.
The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude to the United States and to Biden personally for supporting Ukraine, and for the recent ramp up of U.S. military aid to Kyiv.
The leaders discussed potential steps Washington could take to bolster Ukraine financially – both bilaterally and through various international institutions.
The United States has provided Ukraine with over half a billion dollars in development and humanitarian assistance in the last year, and is exploring additional ways to provide macroeconomic support to help Ukraine’s economy amidst pressure resulting from Russia’s military buildup, according to the U.S. president.
Biden reaffirmed the readiness of the United States along with its allies and partners to respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.
He added that Washington supports conflict resolution efforts in the Normandy Format, welcoming the sides’ recommitment on Jan. 26 to the terms of the July 2020 ceasefire in the Donbas.
The Normandy Four talks between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany started in 2014, after Russia invaded and occupied the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and fomented an armed conflict in Ukraine’s Donbas region that has already killed some 15,000 Ukrainians.
This was the first time Zelensky and Biden had spoken since Jan. 2, and only the third such conversation in two months. International media have speculated that Russia may invade Ukraine in early 2022, in an operation that could involve up to 200,000 Russian soldiers.
International media have speculated that Russia may invade Ukraine in early 2022, in an operation that could involve up to 200,000 Russian soldiers.
The situation on Ukraine's eastern border is a matter of deep concern for both U.S. and European officials. According to U.S. President Joe Biden, the White House is looking at a range of options to dissuade Russia from a potential attack on Ukraine.
Biden has defined these measures as “the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr. Putin to go ahead and do what people believe he may do.”
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