Title: Zelensky: Aid Hinges on Direct Call With Trump
WordPress Tags: urgent, breakingnews, zelensky-trump, ukraine, russia, putin, trump-call
Alt tags: Ukraine’s new leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, is calling for an immediate meeting with President Trump as a precondition to accepting assistance from the United States in its struggle against Russia. According to The New York Times, which cites anonymous White House officials, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats and other officials had urged for a unified approach to the financial support for Ukraine, but Mr. Trump’s private counsel, Rudolph W. Giuliani, had argued against it. The plan was reportedly rejected by Mr. Giuliani, who that same day called for Ukraine’s president to investigate one of Mr. Giuliani’s business associates, The Times reports. In a statement issued on Saturday following his meeting with The Times, President Trump described the call with his longtime lawyer as “a routine follow-up call, primarily discussing our strong relationship with the President of Ukraine, the need for Europe to do its fair share in supporting Ukraine and other topics,” adding that, “the discussion of any potential corruption focused on past actions by people in Ukraine, certain American politicians, and former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. There was no discussion of any investigation, including any investigation into the Bidens.” Zelensky on two calls with Vice President Mike Pence, who he pleaded for “certain guarantees” in relation to the assistance package, without specifying details, the Times reports.
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