Updated 13. June 2022, 13:32
Biden criticized that Selenski “didn’t want to hear” about the Russian invasion. Zelensky’s adviser argues that the Ukrainian president “reacted to all the words and warnings of his partners”.
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The US government has accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of ignoring warnings about the invasion.
AFP
“There was no doubt” that Russia would “cross the border,” Biden said during Friday’s Los Angeles event.
REUTERS
In fact, shortly before the invasion, Zelenskiy calmed down and said, “We must remain calm.”
by REUTERS
According to US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ignored warnings about the Russian invasion just before the war began. “There was no doubt” that Russia would “cross the border,” Biden said during Friday’s Los Angeles event. “Zeleński did not want to hear it, and neither did many of the others.”
The US warned at the start of the invasion
“I know a lot of people thought I was exaggerating,” said Biden, referring to the US’s warnings of a possible Russian attack. However, the US government had data to support its assessment.
The United States warned of such a scenario long before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. At that time, the statements were met with disbelief and even criticism from some European countries. Some countries have accused Washington of panicism.
The government in Kiev is not satisfied with the accusations of the US president, as reported by “NZZ”. Zelensky’s adviser, Mikhail Podolak, said on Saturday that the Ukrainian president “reacted to all the words and warnings of our partners”. It was also clear to the authorities in Kiev that the Russian attack was imminent. Selensky spokesman Nikiforov also stressed that Selensky and Biden regularly spoke on the phone.
Selenski accused the West of instigating “panic”.
In fact, shortly before the invasion, Selensky reassured and criticized that other countries would trigger panic and thus threaten the Ukrainian economy. He reportedly said in January, “We have to stay calm. We will celebrate Easter in April. And in May, the sun, Christmas and barbecues will come. “
At the same time, however, in January, he stepped up diplomatic efforts for military de-escalation and held intensive talks with international heavyweights such as Justin Trudeau, Boris Johnson, Jens Stoltenberg, Joe Biden and Antony Blinken. On January 10, he spoke on the phone with Ignazio Cassis.
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