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Ukrainian leader Zelensky says ready to meet with US President Biden before June 16

"I believe such consultations should happen face-to-face, because many things just cannot be discussed over the phone," Ukrainian President noted

WASHINGTON, June 7. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is ready to meet with US President Joe Biden before American-Russian summit in Geneva on June 16, but such talks may be impossible due to 'a tight schedule of the US leader,' according to US-based Axios website.

"I believe such consultations should happen face-to-face, because many things just cannot be discussed over the phone," Zelensky said in an interview with Axios. "I understand that due to the US President’s pre-existing plans and his tight schedule they might well not happen, but that choice will be only his to make."

"As the guarantor of the Constitution of Ukraine, I myself am ready to defend Ukraine at any moment and at any spot of the planet, I am ready to meet with him and discuss all those details before his meeting [with Russian President Vladimir Putin]," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky also said that the US administration’s representatives did not have consultations with the Ukrainian authorities ahead of the upcoming US-Russia summit.

"Not yet, and I believe that it is up to them," the Ukrainian president said. "However, I do think that it would be a big mistake [not to]."

The Putin-Biden summit in Geneva will be the first top-level meeting between the leaders of the two superpowers since July 2018, when the Russian head of state met with then US President Donald Trump in Helsinki.

According to the Kremlin, the two presidents intend to deliberate on the current state of and prospects for Russian-US relations, strategic stability, as well as pressing global issues, including cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and regulating regional conflicts. On May 30, Biden said that he planned to raise the issue of human rights violations at the Geneva summit.

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Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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Ukraine’s EU accession to require 20% increase in union’s budget — European Commissioner

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

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Nearly 70 Israeli hostages killed in Gaza, Hamas says

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

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Top Russian security official meets with counterparts at international security meeting

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

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Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

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US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

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Top Russian, Iranian security officials discuss Middle East

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Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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Russia’s Viner vows to set up International League of Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs

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Russian diplomat thanks Tajik authorities for help in probe into Crocus terrorist attack

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Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

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