Zelensky calls for Biden to visit Ukraine

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited U.S. President Joe Biden to visit Ukraine so he could see the devastation for himself.
• Zelensky acknowledged the security concerns, but argued that Biden has to visit as the leader of the United States.
• When Biden visited Poland last month, he mentioned that he will not be allowed to visit Ukraine personally.

U.S. President Joe Biden has to come to Ukraine and see the devastation for himself, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

Zelensky made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” that aired Sunday.

When asked if there were plans for Biden’s visit, Zelensky told anchor Jake Tapper, “I think he will. I mean, it’s his decision, of course.”

Zelensky acknowledged the security concerns and admitted that the safety situation depends. He then added, “But I think he’s the leader of the United States, and that’s why he should come here to see.”

When Biden visited Poland last month, he told reporters that he wanted to visit Ukraine but added, “They will not let me, understandably, I guess, cross the border and take a look at what’s going on in Ukraine.” He did not clarify who was holding him back.

Last week, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, “President Biden doesn’t currently have any plans to travel to Kyiv.” But he stated that the president has been in the Oval Office and Situation Room daily to organize and coordinate the world effort to deliver aid to Ukraine.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on the “Pod Save America” podcast that Biden is “ready for anything” and “ready to go to Ukraine.” But she clarified, “We are not sending the president to Ukraine.”

Other world leaders have visited Ukraine personally, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.

On March 15, three weeks into the Russian invasion, the prime ministers of Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia also traveled to Kyiv amid heavy bombardment of the city.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also recently met with Zelensky and walked the streets of Ukraine after Russian troops pulled back from the capital city of Kyiv.

While Biden may not visit Ukraine personally, he said on Thursday that the U.S. is considering sending a top US official to Kyiv to meet with Zelensky.

Source: New York Post