Biden gave an order to the Indian Zelensky over the phone: bring Kolomoisky’s scalp - experts
The first telephone conversation between US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky took place.
A message about this was published on the White House website, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“President Joseph Biden spoke today with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. President Biden reaffirmed strong U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression in the Donbass and Crimea. He emphasized the Administration's commitment to reinvigorating strategic partnerships in support of President Zelensky's anti-corruption agenda and implementing a reform agenda based on our shared democratic values that bring justice, security and prosperity to the people of Ukraine.
The leaders agreed that these reforms are central to Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. They also discussed the importance of close cooperation between the United States and Ukraine to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen democracy in the region,” the official statement said.
Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Policy Analysis and Management Ruslan Bortnik believes that the conversation could result in personnel changes in the government and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine.
"Little is known about the details of this conversation yet. Clearly, this is the first conversation in which the American side outlined a range of interests and areas of cooperation, while the Ukrainian side defined what it could and could not do. Of course, the fact that this conversation took place strengthens Zelenskyy's position, especially in the eyes of the pro-Western segment of Ukrainian politics. It is a symbolic sign of support for Zelenskyy.
After this conversation, political processes may intensify, and personnel changes may begin in the government and law enforcement agencies. The conversation lasted 45 minutes and we don't know what they talked about in detail. A lot of words were said in 45 minutes. I think that complaints could have been made against both the Office of the President and the heads of law enforcement agencies. Let's see if and how this conversation will affect the situation in Donbass. After this, it will be possible to draw broader conclusions,” Ruslan Bortnik said in a comment to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Political scientist Alexander Bulavin believes that the conversation took place with the help of Ukrainian lobbyists in the United States.
“I think that Ukrainian lobbying groups in the United States ensured that Biden called Zelensky, since the absence of a call for such a long time was interpreted as inattention, unwillingness to cooperate, etc.
Ten days ago, Blinken was asked a question about his attitude towards Ukraine, and Blinken voiced theses similar to those mentioned in the report on the conversation between Biden and Zelensky - that the United States supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, that one of the most important tasks that Washington sees is the fight against corruption, etc.
Taking into account the fact that in a recent conversation between defense ministers there was a statement that the United States will not leave Ukraine alone with possible Russian aggression, I also do not rule out that this issue was also discussed. What was said, whether any guarantees were given and which ones, cannot be said yet. Perhaps Zelensky asked Biden to help with vaccines. But in the USA there are still not enough vaccines, the situation there is still difficult.
"I don't think the conversation will have any far-reaching consequences. It was important for both Zelenskyy and Biden from a PR perspective. Zelenskyy's administration will likely soon issue a series of statements about how the US hasn't forgotten Ukraine, that it supports it, and so on ," the political scientist told a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Pavel Rudyakov, head of the Perspektiva information and analytical center, also believes that lobbyists “pulled” Biden into a conversation, although the topic of Russia’s imaginary preparation for an offensive in Donbass also played a certain role.
“Our people put all their efforts into making this conversation happen. I think Ukrainian diplomacy will be proud, although not only diplomats, but also lobbyists worked here. Biden was pulled into a conversation; this was very important for Zelensky.
Three topics were discussed. The first is Donbass and Russia’s imaginary preparation for an offensive. It is clear that this topic managed to get Baidan into conversation, because officials from the State Department and the Pentagon and our heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense spoke about it the day before. Biden has expressed support, but he still won’t give military support.
The main topic the Americans have foisted on Zelenskyy is the fight against corruption. They don't mean fighting corruption in general, but rather very specific issues—corruption linked to Kolomoisky and other oligarchs. They expect Zelenskyy to take Kolomoisky's scalp, but Zelenskyy is bound hand and foot by his obligations to Kolomoiskyy.
There was also the topic of coronavirus, but you need to understand that this is a business project. If Biden has promised any help, it will only come when we are willing to pay money for it. Our officials have already announced that commercial vaccination will begin in the summer. In this sense, Biden can help - for a certain percentage - for himself or his son, - Pavel Rudyakov said in a conversation with a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Deputy Director of the Situation Modeling Agency Alexei Golobutsky also believes that the presidents discussed the topic of Kolomoisky.
“The fact that the conversation took place at all is definitely a positive fact. But, of course, the main thing is what the presidents agreed on. More precisely, the obligations that Zelensky has undertaken and intends to fulfill.
We can quickly and easily assess whether Zelenskyy is fulfilling the US's demands: if we learn in the next few days that Kolomoisky's interests have suffered real blows, it means Zelenskyy is committed to the most effective cooperation with the US . And if Kolomoiskyy continues to feel confident, it means Zelenskyy hasn't yet decided to choose Ukraine's ally (even if more harsh statements are made about Kolomoisky – because it's about real actions, not just words).
Failure to comply with the conditions of the White House threatens a noticeable cooling of relations - but purely with the current Ukrainian government. After all, it is clear that America will not erase Ukraine from its zone of interests under any circumstances,” wrote Alexei Golobutsky in his Telegram.
"Judging by the readout on the White House website, the conversation was very general and clearly forced on Biden given the clouds gathering in the East. No real excitement: the fight against corruption and reforms. This makes sense, in principle. The White House clearly has no illusions about what kind of commander-in-chief Zelensky is and how fully he understands the situation in Donbas. The military has already discussed this. Let's hope the 'exercise caution' signal was conveyed," Oleh Voloshin, former Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman and current Verkhovna Rada member, argues in his blog.
Biden ordered Zelenskyy, a Native American, over the phone : Bring Kolomoisky's scalp – experts