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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Max Channon

Joe Biden has 'no plans to visit Ukraine' after Zelensky interview airs on CBS 60 Minutes

US President Joe Biden currently has 'no plans to visit Ukraine', the White House has said. It follows UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Kyiv - and as an explosive interview with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky was aired by US network CBS.

NBC's Chuck Todd said: "It was quite the symbol to see Prime Minister Boris Johnson walking the streets of Kyiv with President Zelensky. It raises the question: are we going see President Biden in Kyiv?"

The White House's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan replied: "President Biden doesn't currently have any plans to travel to Kyiv. But I will tell you he sits in the Oval Office and in the Situation Room on a daily basis, organizing and coordinating the world when it comes to the delivery of weapons."

It comes as CBS News show 60 Minutes aired an explosive interview with Mr Zelensky, which saw the Ukrainian leader appear to suggest the US President has could be doing more to help the invaded country. Mr Zelensky said: "To tell you the truth. Long ago, I asked President Biden for very specific items.

"He has the list. President Biden can enter history as the person who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people who won and chose the right to have their own country. [This] also depends on him."

CBS Interviewer asked "You are frustrated with President Biden?". President Zelensky replied: "No. I'm not disappointed. I don't know how another president in his place would help us, I don't know. It's difficult. We have a good relationship. I think so at least.

"Ukraine depends on the support of the United States. And I, as the leader of a country at war, I can only be grateful."

However, Mr Zelensky also suggested that the West shoulders some responsibility for the scenes of horror in cities like Bucha - where he said he seen "Death. Just death". In a previous speech, Mr Zelensky had said that 'all the people who die will die because' of NATO 'weakness'. When asked about this, he responded: "I remember, all of us remember, books about the second World War, and about the devil in uniform – Adolf Hitler.

"Are those countries who did not participate in the war responsible? The countries who let German forces march throughout Europe? Does the world carry responsibility for the genocide? Yes. Yes, it does. When you [have the ability to] close the sky – yes it's scary, that a world war could start. It's scary. I understand [that]. And I cannot put pressure on these people because everyone is afraid of war. But whether the world [is responsible] for this, I believe so, yes. I believe so. Stand in front of the mirror every day and ask yourself, were you able to do something?

"Or were you unable to do something? You will find the answer in the mirror to this question, and to another question – who are you? That's what I believe."

Mr Zelensky also said he was prepared to die foi his country. He told CBS: "I don't want to make myself out to be a hero. I love my family. I want to live many more years, but choosing between running or being with my people, of course I'm ready to give my life for my country.

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