Ukraine’s Zelensky Invites Biden to Visit in Coming Days in Hopes of Deescalating Situation With Russia

Ukraine’s Zelensky Invites Biden to Visit in Coming Days in Hopes of Deescalating Situation With Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference at the Antonov aircraft manufacturing plant in Kiev, on May 20, 2021. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
Katabella Roberts
2/14/2022
Updated:
2/14/2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 13 invited President Joe Biden to visit Kyiv in what he believes would be a powerful signal to help deescalate and stabilize the situation with Russia as it continues to build up troops along Ukraine’s eastern border.

According to the Ukrainian readout of the Sunday call, Zelensky thanked Biden for sending military aid to Ukraine, saying the aid can “help prevent the spread of a mood of panic” in the country amid the ongoing tensions.

Zelensky also invited Biden to visit the former Soviet country, the presidential office said.

“I’m convinced that your arrival in Kyiv in the coming days, which are crucial for stabilizing the situation, will be a powerful signal and contribute to de-escalation,” the presidential office quoted Zelensky as telling Biden.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine understood the threats it faced and was ready to face any scenario, according to the Ukrainian readout of the call.

Elsewhere during Sunday’s hour-long phone call, both Biden and Zelensky “reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” read a White House statement.

Biden also said that the United States “would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

“The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders,” the White House readout concluded. The two leaders previously spoke on Jan. 2.

The phone call came a day after Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, also via phone, and said that the United States and its allies will respond “decisively and impose swift and severe costs” on Russia should Putin decide to invade Ukraine, according to a readout provided by the White House.

Russia denies that it plans to invade Ukraine but has amassed around 100,000 troops situated near Ukraine’s eastern borders.

During the call with Russia, Biden was also “clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House said.

“President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing,” according to the readout.

Zelensky Wants Proof

National security adviser Jake Sullivan on Feb. 13 told CNN that Russia could invade Ukraine “any day now” and that such an invasion could even take place before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which are set to finish on Feb. 20.

Sullivan did not provide further details regarding the alleged potential imminent invasion but made similar remarks during a news conference in Washington.

“We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now—that includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics,” Sullivan said.

Zelensky has said he wants proof that Russia will invade Ukraine in the near future following such comments from White House officials, including Sullivan, blaming the warnings for creating “panic” in his country.

“There has been too much information about a full-scale war with Russia–even specific dates have been announced. We understand there are risks. If you have any additional information regarding the 100 percent guaranteed invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 16 February, please give it to us,” Zelensky told reporters on Feb. 12.

He also reiterated Ukraine’s wish, first and foremost, is to deescalate tensions, and that his country will rely on its own forces in responding to any “surprises ... from any side, from any borders.”

He also thanked international partners for intelligence sharing on the risks presented by Russia, while saying that the information needs to be analyzed very carefully.
Reuters and Jack Phillips contributed to this report.