President's Office wants to invite Biden to Ukraine for 30th anniversary of independence

According to him, world leaders, including Biden, will be invited to events marking the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

"Of course, we will invite [Biden], like other world leaders. We also have other big events this year to which we will invite world leaders. This is the Crimean Platform summit [scheduled for August 23] and, for example, the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy. Therefore, we have events to which we can invite foreign leaders, including the U.S. President. Of course, I am convinced that President Biden's visit is also a matter of the near future," Zhovkva said when asked if Biden would be invited to Ukraine, including to the 30th anniversary of independence.

In addition, Zhovkva said the issue of President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States remained on the agenda.

"We are preparing for such a visit. We did not have a break. When the new U.S. administration takes up its duties, including senior officials, the Secretary of State, relevant aides and deputies, and other ministers, they will pick up this topic and we will prepare for this visit," he said.

According to him, however, now it is very difficult to talk about dates for the visit to the United States for several reasons.

"The coronavirus pandemic has not disappeared, unfortunately. The possibility of physical visits, to put it mildly, is very limited. In addition, you have already mentioned the domestic political situation in the United States. This is also a separate story. Again, I do not like to focus on dates. Let's focus on the content of the preparations. I am sure that as soon as this visit is meaningfully prepared by both parties - Ukraine and the United States - a date will be set immediately," Zhovkva said.

The inauguration of the 46th U.S. President Joe Biden will take place in Washington on January 20.

op