Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Joe Biden
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently treated Joe Biden as the most vital international leader in securing military, financial, and diplomatic support for Ukraine against Russia.
Zelenskyy’s position has been one of close partnership, marked by numerous direct appeals for increased aid, especially for advanced weaponry like Patriot missiles. A key moment was Zelenskyy's December 2022 visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with Biden and addressed Congress, securing further commitments.
Historically, Zelenskyy's interactions predated Biden's presidency, notably when Biden was Vice President, and Zelenskyy later denied feeling pressured by then-President Donald Trump during the 2019 phone call that sparked the first impeachment inquiry against Trump. However, the relationship under the Biden administration has been the bedrock of Ukraine's international defense posture.
Context
The relationship between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden is centered on the existential threat posed by Russia's full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022. As the democratically elected leader of Ukraine, Zelenskyy's primary responsibility is securing the resources needed to defend his nation, making the US under Biden the most critical international backer.
Biden's administration has led the Western response, coordinating sanctions against Russia and delivering substantial military and financial aid packages. Therefore, Zelenskyy's public and private posture toward Biden reflects the immense strategic importance of maintaining this strong bilateral relationship for Ukraine's survival.
Timeline
- U.S. President Donald Trump's alleged pressure on Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden surfaced, relating to a military aid package.
- President Zelenskyy engaged in talks and commitments with President Joe Biden, Secretary Austin, Secretary Granholm, and Secretary Blinken during a trip to the United States.
- Following a Russian military build-up, Zelenskyy spoke with US President Joe Biden, urging NATO members to speed up Ukraine's membership request.
- Zelenskyy and Biden disagreed on the immediacy of the Russian invasion threat, with Zelenskyy urging the West not to create panic while also seeking security guarantees.
- Zelenskyy urged Putin to enter talks, stating he did not want to negotiate 'from 30 meters away, like with Macron and Scholz,' signaling a preference for direct, substantive dialogue.
- Zelenskyy visited the United States for his first foreign trip since the full-scale war began, meeting with President Joe Biden and addressing Congress.
Actions Taken
- Military Aid SecuringExpressed satisfaction with the US commitment to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine following a meeting with President Biden.
- Diplomatic EngagementEngaged in talks and commitments with President Joe Biden during a September 2021 trip to the US.
- Security CoordinationSpoke with President Joe Biden in April 2021 to urge NATO members to speed up Ukraine's membership request in response to Russian military build-up.
Key Quotes
On a trip to the United States in September 2021, Zelenskyy engaged in talks and commitments with U.S. president Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
On 21 December 2022, Zelenskyy visited the United States on his first foreign trip since the war began. He met with President Joe Biden and addressed Congress delivering his full speech in English. The United States announced they would supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine as had been requested.
Sources3
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.