Harris to Meet Zelensky Next Week During Visit to the US

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington DC next week, CNN reported on the 18th (local time), citing multiple sources.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

According to the report, this meeting comes amid growing concerns from the Ukrainian side about the potential impact of the upcoming November U.S. presidential election results on the Russia-Ukraine war as well as on U.S. support policies for Ukraine. Earlier, President Zelensky announced at a press conference late last month that he would present a peace blueprint to the U.S., sharing it not only with President Joe Biden but also with the bipartisan presidential candidates, Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump.

John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) communications advisor, responded to a question about whether Vice President Harris would meet with President Zelensky by saying, "They have already met several times in person and have spoken on the phone," adding, "If the opportunity arises, there is no doubt it will happen." On the same day, former President Trump also answered "probably" to a related question. CNN added that although former President Trump and President Zelensky had a phone call in July, this upcoming meeting would be their first face-to-face encounter since Trump left office.

President Zelensky also reiterated in a video address that a "victory plan" to bring peace to Ukraine has been prepared. Major foreign media reported that he plans to deliver this peace proposal to President Biden through a separate meeting during the United Nations General Assembly held in New York at the end of this month.