The talks between Biden and Zelenskyy are focused on the coming months of fighting, according to the White House
U.S. President Joe Biden (left) speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) as they attend a joint news conference in Kiev February 20, 2023. (Photo by EVAN VUCCI /POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
United States President Joe Biden met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev this Monday to discuss the coming months of war, according to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Their talks come at what Sullivan called a “tipping point” in the war, as Russia prepares for a spring offensive and Ukraine hopes to retake areas it has seized over the past 12 months.
The United States has hoped to help Ukraine consolidate its battlefield achievements by constantly sending weapons and ammunition. But the future remains uncertain as Russia appears to be regrouping.
As Biden flew to Europe from Washington, he spent his time strategizing how to get the most out of his conversation with Zelensky.
“The President was very focused on making sure he got the most out of his time in the field, which he knew would be limited,” Sullivan said. “So he was very focused on how he was going to approach his conversation with President Zelensky and partly how they were both really looking at the trajectory of 2023 and trying to come to a common understanding of the goals.”
In their talks, “the two leaders spend time talking about the coming months in terms of the battlefield and what skills Ukraine needs to be successful on the battlefield,” Sullivan said.
“They spoke about Ukraine’s needs in terms of energy, infrastructure, economic support and humanitarian needs. And they also talked about the political aspect,” he added.
Biden was “excited” about his surprise trip to Ukraine on Monday, a trip Sullivan described as “full of anticipation that this was an important moment.”
Sullivan said Biden “wanted to do it, characteristically delve into the details, know the details and make sure he was going to make the most of every moment.”
When asked if Biden would have to disown anyone on his security team to make the trip, Sullivan declined to elaborate on the discussions, but said that “the President has proceeded with confidence that his security team is capable.” to bear the risk.” to a manageable level.”
White House officials also declined to go into details about the logistics of the president’s trip, saying more details would follow once “they got the green light from security.”