Biden declines meeting with Zelenskyy in Europe, opts for phone call, White House says

According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, US President Joe Biden won’t meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin this Friday but has already spoken with him by phone.

These diplomatic shifts come at a critical moment for Ukraine: Western support wavers while the frontline situation deteriorates. Zelenskyy’s Victory plan and upcoming meetings are vital for reinvigorating international backing and securing resources against Russian aggression.

Biden’s planned 12 October visit to Germany for a Ramstein format meeting, where Zelenskyy was to present Ukraine’s Victory plan, has been postponed due to a storm in the US. The meeting was subsequently canceled. Jean-Pierre announced that a leaders’ meeting in the Ramstein format will occur next month.

When asked about Zelensky’s plan, Jean-Pierre deferred to the Ukrainians, stating, “We’ll let them comment on their plan. We will continue to support Ukrainians on the battlefield as they repel Russian aggression.” The White House reaffirmed that US policy remains unchanged regarding Ukraine’s request to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons.

Biden is now scheduled to visit Berlin on 18 October, where he will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel has invited Zelenskyy to the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on 17 October, where he is expected to present his Victory plan.

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