U.S. President Joe Biden has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House this summer, according to a White House statement following a conversation between the two leaders on June 7, nine days ahead of Biden’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. The leaders discussed our strategic partnership in support of President Zelensky’s plan to tackle corruption and implement a reform agenda, based on our shared democratic values and Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, that delivers justice, security, and prosperity to the people of Ukraine,” according to the statement by White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “President Biden affirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression in Donbas and Crimea. The leaders also discussed the need for close cooperation on energy security and the fight against COVID-19, including U.S. plans to provide 900,000 vaccine doses to help Ukraine address the pandemic. President Biden invited President Zelensky to visit Washington later this summer.”
Zelensky tweeted his acceptance and also issued a more detailed statement after the two leaders spoke.
In a press briefing after the call, Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan disclosed the Biden invitation.
