- Title: Ukrainians hope political storm will not affect relations with U.S.
- Date: 25th September 2019
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (SEPTEMBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KIEV VIEWS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT DEPUTY, MARIA IONOVA, SAYING: "I hope (Ukrainian president Volodymyr) Zelenskiy finds the right line of reasoning and the meeting (with President Trump) will be constructive, so the Ukrainian national interests are not damaged. There will be more common points than divisions, because if the relations between the U.S. and Ukraine worsen, Russian Federation will surely use this chance. This will only be beneficial for Russian Federation." GOLDEN GATE OF KIEV VIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) STUDENT, DMYTRO SNITKO, SAYING: "Well, if Zelenskiy does not cooperate with Trump, it's likely there will be some difficulties for Ukraine. In this case Ukraine will have to negotiate with Russia, and with European countries." PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) BUSINESS CONSULTANT, ANATOLIY TKACHUK, SAYING: "I do not think it is going to happen (worsening of relations between Ukraine and the U.S.), because Russia and the U.S. are natural antagonists at the moment, and they need to balance Russia. Ukraine plays significant role in balancing Russia. That's why the United States has no other option. What can change is the level of support and the conditions from the U.S. side." VARIOUS OF ST. SOPHIA'S CATHEDRAL
- Embargoed: 9th October 2019 16:29
- Keywords: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy S.A UN General Assemly U.S. President Donald Trump Ukraine phone call U U.S. pressure United Nations New York
- Location: KEIV, UKRAINE
- City: KEIV, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Reuters ID: LVA001AY5OWNB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ukrainian officials and locals polled in the streets of capital Kiev said on Wednesday (September 25) they hoped recent U.S. political turmoil over President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump would not damage the countries' relations.
The Ukrainian president suddenly found himself in the centre of an impeachment battle between Trump and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Not only was it a July 25 telephone call between Zelenskiy and Trump that triggered the impeachment battle. The Ukrainian president also found himself in New York - and due to meet Trump - as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the chamber was launching an official impeachment inquiry.
The situation is a stern leadership test for Zelenskiy, a 41-year-old former comedian who had no experience of politics before being elected his year and taking office in May.
The allegations turn on the July 25 phone call during which critics say Trump improperly pressured Zelenskiy to investigate Joe Biden, the former U.S. vice president, and his son Hunter, who worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine.
Trump has denied wrongdoing in the call, a summary of which was released by the Trump administration on Wednesday.
"I hope Zelenskiy finds the right line of reasoning and the meeting will be constructive, so the Ukrainian national interests are not damaged. There will be more common points than divisions, because if the relations between the U.S. and Ukraine worsen, Russian Federation will surely use this chance. This will only be beneficial for Russian Federation," Ukrainian parliament member, Maria Ionova, told Reuters in Kiev on Wednesday.
The United States has been giving military aid to Ukraine since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The $391.5 million in aid at issue in the current controversy was approved by the U.S. Congress to help Ukraine deal with an insurgency by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country.
(Production: Serhiy Karazy / Dmitry Turlyun / Maria Stromova) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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