Ukrainian officers push again on Biden declare that Zelensky ‘didn’t wish to hear’ invasion warnings

Ukrainian officers on Saturday pushed again in opposition to President Biden’s declare that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed U.S. warnings of an impending Russian invasion earlier than the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine warfare.

Responding to Biden’s remark throughout a Democratic fundraiser Friday night that Zelensky “didn’t wish to hear” warnings from the U.S., a spokesman for the Ukrainian president stated that “the phrase ‘didn’t wish to hear’ in all probability wants clarification.”

Spokesman Sergei Nikiforov instructed Ukrainian information outlet LIGA.internet that the 2 leaders spoke over the cellphone “three or 4” instances main as much as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February, saying that Biden and Zelensky exchanged “detailed” assessments of the connection between Ukraine and Russia.

“As well as, if you happen to bear in mind, the President of Ukraine referred to as on companions to impose a bundle of preventive sanctions to encourage Russia to withdraw troops and de-escalate the state of affairs. And right here we will say that our companions ‘didn’t wish to hear us,’” stated Nikiforov.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak corroborated Nikiforov’s claims that Zelensky was persistently offered with sophisticated proof concerning Russia’s intentions and criticized Biden for placing “blame” on Ukraine over the state of affairs.

“And eventually, the important thing, I believe it’s pointless in charge the nation, which is greater than 100 days a full-fledged warfare in opposition to a way more resourceful opponent, if key international locations have failed to stop the militaristic appetites of the Russian Federation, understanding them nicely,” Podoliak stated, in keeping with impartial Russian outlet Interfax.

“Undoubtedly, the quantity of the invasion, which we noticed on February 24, shocked many international locations, together with our companions,” added Podoliak, arguing that Ukraine was equally as conscious of Russia’s menace as its Western allies.

He added: “Volodymyr Zelensky continuously had an analyst on the desk based mostly on high-quality intelligence. The President additionally responded rigorously to all of the phrases and warnings of our companions. The query was all the time: what would be the scope of the invasion?”