NEW YORK, December 13. /TASS/. US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, avoided being seen or photographed with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky who paid a visit to the US Congress, the New York Times reported.

A NYT reporter assigned to Capitol Hill said Zelensky met with all congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat; and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican. Johnson is seen with Zelensky only on the photo that was released from their private meeting, but he avoided being photographed or seen with the Ukrainian president outside of the meeting, the report said.

The previous speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, in September also tried not to appear in public next to Zelensky, who was visiting the US Congress as part of a trip to Washington. At that time, McCarthy refused to allow the Ukrainian leader to speak before the entire Congress, saying lawmakers were too busy.