Biden speaks with Ukrainian president ahead of U.S.-Russia summit

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday reaffirmed U.S. support to Kiev in a call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, an effort to reassure Ukraine ahead of the U.S.-Russia summit later this month.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a White House briefing that Biden told Zelensky that "he will stand up firmly for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its aspirations" and "looks forward to welcoming him to the White House here in Washington this summer."

The phone call came as Kiev raised concern about Biden's upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. recent move on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project between Russia and Germany.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency