Biden and Zelensky to talk before Europe visit

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky will hold a call this week, as Biden prepares to travel to Europe for
the G7 and NATO summits. Topics are expected to include the American position on
the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Russian aggression on Ukraine’s border, and the
possible strengthening of Ukraine’s defenses along the Sea of Azov, axios.com
reports.

In an hour-long interview with Axios on June 4,
Zelensky stated that he hoped for a last-minute Michael Jordan-esque leap from
Biden that would stop the Nord Stream construction. Zelensky also reiterated
the Ukrainian government’s stance that the pipeline is a security threat to
Ukraine. He also claimed that he understood the American need for good
relations with Germany, but asked, “How many Ukrainian lives does the
relationship between the United States and Germany cost?”

James Hydzik: Axios also
writes that the upcoming call between Biden and Zelensky could be contentious.
This is possible. While Zelensky states that he understands the importance of
U.S. – German relations to the Americans, he still has not shown publicly that
he understands the Biden administration’s expectations regarding governance and
corruption.

The eventual compromise regarding Naftogaz and how it
is run, with a promise of no changes for the next year in return for the board
remaining, did nothing to repair relations at the inter-governmental level. The
likelihood of Biden suddenly changing course on the sanctions is low. Ukraine’s
officials communicating with the American government need to keep up the
pressure regarding the pipeline, but without pushing too hard and further
damaging relations.