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US President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington on April 6. Photo: Reuters

Joe Biden has ‘no plans’ to visit Ukraine, White House confirms

  • ‘There are no plans for the president to go. Let me just reiterate that,’ White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters
  • The Biden administration has said it wants to send a high-ranking official, most likely Secretary of State Antony Blinken or Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin
Ukraine war

US President Joe Biden is not planning to visit Kyiv, despite Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky urging him to demonstrate US support for the fight against Russia by travelling to the embattled capital, the White House said on Monday.

“There are no plans for the president to go. Let me just reiterate that,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

The White House also announced that Biden will hold a call with allies on Tuesday to discuss the Ukraine crisis, including on how to coordinate on holding Russia accountable.

“The president will convene a secure video call with allies and partners to discuss our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable as part of our close coordination,” it said in a statement.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki at the White House in Washington on April 18. Photo: EPA-EFE

A string of European leaders have made the trip to Kyiv and held meetings with Zelensky.

However, a Biden visit would present a more complex security challenge. The Biden administration has said it instead wants to send a high-ranking official, most likely Secretary of State Antony Blinken or Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Last week, Biden said “we’re making that decision”, although he muddied the waters by responding “yeah” when asked by a reporter whether he might go.

Psaki made clear on Monday that “if anyone were to go … we wouldn’t outline from here or anywhere from the government who, if and when for security reasons.”

Biden’s chief spokeswoman also confirmed that there are hopes of reopening the US embassy in Kyiv, although she gave no timeline.

“That certainly is our objective. Obviously having a diplomatic presence on the ground is important,” Psaki said.

Ukraine war: ‘Battle of Donbas’ has begun, says Zelensky

In an interview broadcast by CNN on Sunday, Zelensky said “I think” Biden will visit, “but it’s his decision, of course, and about the safety situation, it depends.

“I think he’s the leader of the United States and that’s why he should come here to see.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba praised Biden’s backing so far for his country in an interview broadcast on Sunday on CBS and said a visit by the US leader would “be an important message of support”.

“A personal meeting between two presidents could also pave the way for new supplies and of … US weapons to Ukraine and also for discussions on the possible political settlement of this conflict,” he added.

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