The White House is categorical: despite the request of Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden does not plan to visit Ukraine
Eva Deschamps / April 19, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden does not plan to go to Ukraine soon despite the wish of his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, the White House said Monday.
There are no plans for the president to go there, let me repeat that, U.S. executive branch spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a news conference.
In recent weeks, several European leaders, including the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, have visited the war-torn country.
The U.S. government is considering sending an emissary to Kiev, but the White House has ruled out a high-risk trip by the president himself for security reasons.
If someone were to go there, we wouldn't say it from here, the spokeswoman for the U.S. president also said.
In an interview with CNN broadcast on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted Joe Biden to come to Ukraine.
I think he will come, but the decision is his, of course, it depends on the security situation, he said. But I think he is the leader of the United States and for that he should come and see.
The White House spokeswoman also confirmed on Monday that the United States hoped to reopen its embassy in Kiev soon, without mentioning any timeframe.
That's certainly our goal. Obviously, it's important to have a diplomatic presence there, said Jen Psaki.