26-6-2023 (WASHINGTON) President Joe Biden engaged in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday following the sudden change of plans by Russian mercenary forces regarding their march on Moscow. The White House confirmed the call, which took place on Sunday afternoon.
President Zelenskyy took to Twitter to share details of the conversation, stating that he and President Biden discussed the ongoing hostilities and developments in Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of international pressure on Russia to restore order in the region.
I spoke with ???????? President @POTUS. A positive and inspiring conversation.
We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored.
I thanked the @POTUS for the unflagging…
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 25, 2023
Tensions escalated between Russian leadership and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, over the weekend. Prigozhin accused the Russian military of attacking his forces and vowed a “march of justice” in response. However, by Saturday evening, Prigozhin had withdrawn his forces, claiming they had successfully occupied the military command center in Rostov-on-Don, a major city in southern Russia.
Reports indicate that Prigozhin struck a deal with the Kremlin, allowing him to leave Russia for Belarus in exchange for the dropping of criminal charges against him.
In addition to discussing the recent events, President Biden and President Zelenskyy focused on enhancing defense cooperation, particularly in the area of long-range weapons. They also touched upon Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
The White House reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine during the call, reaffirming continued assistance in the form of security, economic, and humanitarian aid.
The situation in Russia and Ukraine remains volatile, with both countries actively engaged in their respective efforts. The phone call between the two leaders signifies the ongoing commitment to address the complex challenges in the region and maintain stability.
