Zelensky visit plans move forward with Kuleba and Yermak trip

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Head of
the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak are in Washington to prepare for
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Aug. 30 visit. Kuleba posted on Facebook that he
is scheduled to meet with officials from the executive and legislative branches
as well as analysts. Kuleba posted that he is preparing for a workman-like
meeting, without “high tones” or “blackmail”.

James Hydzik: Such
preparations are always necessary before a presidential visit to the White
House. Against the background of the American-German agreement over the
completion of the Nord Stream II pipeline and, as Kuleba noted in his post,
Ukraine hosting the first Crimean Platform summit immediately before the visit,
sorting out relations and positions ahead of time is vital. Another factor for
the Ukrainian government’s long-term press on the Biden Administration will be
to continue the evolution of ties with Republican congressmen, especially in
the Senate.