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Biden and Zelenskyy Speak on the Phone as the Ukraine War Continues
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian Presiden Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on the phone for more than half an hour, as per a White House official. The call took place as Zelenskyy’s country is still under attack by Russian troops.
The Ukrainian president confirmed that the call happened, posting about it on Twitter afterward.
“Just had a conversation with @POTUS . The American leadership on anti-Russian sanctions and defense assistance to Ukraine was discussed,” Zelenskyy tweeted. “We must stop the aggressor as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!”
Just had a conversation with @POTUS. The American leadership on anti-Russian sanctions and defense assistance to Ukraine was discussed. We must stop the aggressor as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2022
The two presidents discussed “ongoing deliveries of security assistance, economic support, and humanitarian aid,” and the attacks on civilians being done by Russian troops, including the bombing incident that took place near the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial, per the White House.
As Russia maintains its invasion and approaches Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken berated Kremlin during a UN Human Rights Council virtual meeting.
“Reports of Russia’s human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law mount by the hour. Russian strikes are hitting schools, hospitals and residential buildings,” Blinken said during the council meeting.
“One can reasonably ask whether a UN member state that tries to take over another UN member state – while committing horrific human rights abuses and causing massive humanitarian suffering – should be allowed to remain on this council,” he went on to say.
The U.S. Secretary of State also condemned the placatory language used by nations that are part of the 47-member council. He also argued that they are adding to the security threat that Ukrain is already facing.
“Council members should stop using language implying that all sides bear equal responsibility for the unprovoked attack of one side. This isn’t evenhanded – it’s wrong – and fails to place accountability where it belongs,” Blinken said. “The same goes for members who argue, falsely, that denouncing human rights abuses is ‘politicizing’ the situation.
“It is failing to speak up about human rights abuses that politicizes the situation,” he continued.
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