Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia US President Joe Biden has reportedly lost patience with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. This happened in their conversation on the phone last June.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Biden had just finished informing Zelensky of another billion dollars in US military aid to Ukraine. But Zelensky started listing all the additional help he needed and didn’t get.
“Biden lost his temper at that point,” people familiar with the call said, citing NBC NewsTuesday (1/11/2022).
The source said that upon hearing Zelenky’s behavior, Biden immediately raised his voice. He said that the American people have been quite generous and that his government and the US military have worked hard to help Ukraine.
“Zelenskyy (should) be able to show a little more gratitude,” the source said, mimicking Biden.
Prior to the June 15 phone call, Biden’s frustration with Zelensky had increased for weeks. Three people familiar with the call also report this.
Biden and some of his key collaborators believe the government is doing everything it can and as quickly as possible. But Zelensky instead focused on what the US was not doing for Ukraine.
From Zelensky’s point of view, as well as several Eastern European governments and US lawmakers on both sides, Biden’s White House is moving too slowly. This is especially required for weapons.
“Initially hesitant to accept some capabilities that Ukraine has requested most urgently, only to succumb weeks or months later under pressure,” said two sources familiar with the views of the Ukrainian government, a congressman and two European officials.
Indeed, since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the Biden government has been criticized for moving too cautiously. Biden himself is now facing the possibility of being rejected by some Republican lawmakers and progressive Democrats for providing too much aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, there has been no confirmation from the US presidential office regarding this matter. CNBC International he also wrote, there was no confirmation from Ukraine.
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