Ukrainian President Zelensky to meet Biden and Harris, plans to see Trump ahead of US Elections

Published September 19, 2024
US President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House in this file photo from September 2023. — AFP/File
US President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House in this file photo from September 2023. — AFP/File

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Joe Biden and Vice President and Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris next week and plans to see Donald Trump as he visits the United States to shore up support before November’s crucial presidential election.

Zelensky will be covering all 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 Zelensky will have separate talks on September 26 with President Biden and with Vice President Harris, who is the Democratic nominee against Republican former president Trump. Zelensky has said he will share a “victory plan” with the US leaders to end the war with Russia.

“The president and vice president will emphasize their unshakeable commitment to stand with Ukraine until it prevails in this war,” Biden’s Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Biden said separately that he was “looking forward to hosting my friend President Zelensky”. “During his visit, I’ll reaffirm America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends its freedom and independence,” Biden said.

The Ukrainian presidency said separately that 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 Harris last week, saying only: “I want the war to stop.”

Zelensky has meanwhile been pressuring the Biden administration to let it fire Western-made long-range weapons into Russian territory.

Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer put off a decision on the issue last week, with Starmer saying they would discuss it further when they meet at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Ukrainian leader said last week that he planned to discuss his victory plan with Biden “this month” and added on Wednesday that the plan was now “fully prepared.”

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 while Moscow presses an advance into eastern Ukraine.

Opinion

Editorial

A close watch
Updated 13 Oct, 2024

A close watch

Authorities will have to prove every six months that they are pursuing the IMF-mandated targets to secure the lender’s dollars and blessings.
Push and pull
13 Oct, 2024

Push and pull

MUCH remains at stake, but it is nonetheless reassuring that our politicians have returned to more parliamentary...
Rising rape
13 Oct, 2024

Rising rape

MISOGYNY is the bane of women’s lives across the globe as it robs them of autonomy over their bodies. This is...
Ghastly attack
Updated 12 Oct, 2024

Ghastly attack

Duki attack comes at a time when Pakistan’s foreign friends are looking to make major investments in the country, while SCO moot kicks off next week.
Saudi investments
12 Oct, 2024

Saudi investments

THE Saudi investment commitments to Islamabad seem to be taking tangible shape after months of uncertainty around...
Into the abyss
12 Oct, 2024

Into the abyss

THE Pakistan cricket team continues to set unwanted records. On Friday, Shan Masood’s men became the first team in...