Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Biden and Harris, plans to see Trump
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) will have separate talks on Sept 26 with President Joe Biden and with Vice-President Kamala Harris.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris next week, and plans to see former president Donald Trump as he visits the US to shore up support before November’s crucial presidential election.
Mr Zelensky will be covering all the political bases in what could be his last such visit before an election that could upend Washington’s policy of support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
The White House said Mr Zelensky will have separate talks on Sept 26 with Mr Biden and Ms Harris, who is the Democratic nominee against Republican presidential candidate Trump.
Mr Zelensky has said he will share a “victory plan” with the US leaders
In a statement, Ms Karine Jean-Pierre, Mr Biden’s press secretary, said: “The President and Vice-President will emphasise their unshakeable commitment to stand with Ukraine until it prevails in this war.”
Mr Biden said separately that he was “looking forward to hosting my friend, President Zelensky”.
He added: “During his visit, I will reaffirm America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends its freedom and independence.”
The Ukrainian presidency said separately that Mr Zelensky plans to meet “the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump”.
There was no immediate confirmation from Trump’s camp.
Both Ukraine and Nato allies have been fretting that Trump could loosen US support for Kyiv.
Trump has repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, and refused to take sides on the war during a debate with Ms Harris last week, saying only: “I want the war to stop.”
Mr Zelensky has, meanwhile, been pressuring the Biden administration to let it fire Western-made long-range weapons into Russian territory.
Mr Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer put off a decision on the issue last week, with Mr Starmer saying they would discuss it further when they meet at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
The Ukrainian leader said last week that he planned to discuss his victory plan with Mr Biden this month, and added on Sept 18 that the plan was now fully prepared.
Mr Zelensky has also said he aims to host another international peace summit outlining his vision to end the war in November, to which Russia will be invited.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for more than 30 months, with Ukraine now controlling parts of Russia’s Kursk region
