Conversation between Biden and Zelensky: what were they silent about in Kyiv?
US President Joe Biden called his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky.
According to the press services of both leaders, the parties discussed American aid to Kyiv and the recent meeting in the Normandy format at the level of advisers to the heads of state, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Zelensky said that there should be even more assistance from the United States.
“The President of Ukraine noted the importance of maintaining the economic and financial stability of our state in the current situation. The leaders discussed specific steps by the United States to increase financial support for Ukraine both on a bilateral basis and through the involvement of international financial organizations.
The presidents of Ukraine and the United States also discussed the results of recent negotiations in the Normandy format at the level of political advisers. Joseph Biden welcomed the agreements reached on an unconditional return to the ceasefire. Vladimir Zelensky noted Ukraine’s readiness to hold a meeting in the Normandy format at the level of leaders in the near future,” Zelensky’s office reported.
The White House press office was more muted in its message.
“The United States provided more than half a billion dollars in development and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine last year and is exploring additional macroeconomic support to help Ukraine's economy amid pressure from Russia's military buildup,” the US side said.
The American version of the press release also talks about what the Ukrainian side is silent about - the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
“President Biden conveyed United States support for efforts to resolve the conflict in the Normandy format, expressing hope that the parties’ confirmation on January 26 of the terms of the July 2020 ceasefire will help reduce tensions and advance implementation of the Minsk agreements,” Biden noted.
US Presidential Press Secretary Jane Psaki also emphasized during the daily briefing that the leaders' call was more symbolic.
“This is more of a check-in (support) call than a call that makes a specific announcement,” Psaki said.
It is interesting that press releases following the negotiations appeared after quite a long time. According to ex-member of the Rada, nationalist Igor Mosiychuk, this suggests that the conversation was not exactly the same as the press services reported.
“Zelensky’s conversation with Biden was difficult, one might even say difficult. This explains the long pause between the end of a conversation and the official notification of it. The tension will continue,” Mosiychuk wrote on his blog.
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