Zelensky discusses with Pence plans for Trump meeting

19 September 2019

Ukrainian President Zelensky discussed the conditions of his first meeting with U.S. President Trump – planned for the UN General Assembly next week – during a Sept. 18 telephone call with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, the eurointegration.com.ua news site said. The meeting will occur between Sept. 23 and 26, said this earlier month William Taylor, Jr., the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. More details on the meeting are not available, and it’s not clear whether Zelensky will visit Washington, as has been urged by Valeriy Chaly, the current Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S.

 

During the call, Zelensky thanked Pence for his personal role in helping to get approved USD 250 mln in military aid included in the budget. Zelensky stressed the importance of U.S. military aid, which he said he hopes will increase next year, and stressed the anti-corruption reforms currently being implemented, according to the president.gov.ua website. The two leaders also discussed developing cooperation in the energy sphere, expressing support for its active expansion. Zelensky first spoke with Pence on Sept. 1 in Warsaw during the commemoration of the start of World War Two.